‘Modern cricket’s prototype’: Hussey set to be handed major Aussie cricket honour
Mike Hussey will be formally recognised as an Australian cricket legend as he is inducted into the nation’s Cricket Hall of Fame.
Cricket Australia on Boxing Day announced that the batting great and Fox Cricket commentator would be handed the honour alongside former women’s captain Lyn Larsen.
“The name Michael Hussey is synonymous with the hard work, skill and dedication needed to succeed at the highest level and his inspirational career is testament to the values to which all great players aspire,” CA chief Nick Hockley said.
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Australian Cricketers’ Association chief Todd Greenberg added: “Mike Hussey is a case study in Aussie persistence, knocking out runs in the Sheffield Shield for ten years before getting a shot at international level.
“He was also a prototype of the modern-day cricketer, establishing himself in the T20 ... before establishing himself in the IPL, and as an important figure in the nascent BBL and he now rightfully sits alongside other greats of Australian Cricket in the Hall of Fame.”
The 48-year-old reflected on his induction ahead of the Boxing Day Test, saying he was “very honoured.”
“I was shocked when I first found out ... I didn’t really know what to say. I was stunned really.
“I was happy to play just one Test match for Australia growing up, so to be in the Hall of Fame, I will truly cherish it for the rest of my life.”
Hussey played 79 Tests and 185 ODIs for Australia, while he was also one of T20 cricket’s first big international stars, averaging 37.94 in the format.
In Test cricket, he made 19 centuries and averaged more than 50 in the format having made his debut late at the age of 30.
With Australia, he won the Ashes in 2006-07 and the ODI World Cup in 2007.
Hussey has gone on to have a big career after retirement, working as a batting coach for multiple national teams, while he continues to work as an expert for Fox Cricket.
He’s to be added with Larsen, who was a long-term captain and brilliant all-rounder for Australia’s women’s team.
She played 15 Tests, making 410 runs at 41 while taking 26 wickets at 18.73. Larsen also played 49 ODIs with 426 runs at 20.28, and 24 wickets at 31.79.
“Lyn’s induction is reflective of her momentous achievements during what was an esteemed career spanning more than a decade, including her selection as Australian captain when she was just 22 years old,” Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chair Peter King said in a statement.
“Lyn’s imprint on the game has been remarkable, and she has played an instrumental role in boosting the recognition of women’s cricket with one defining highlight being the 1988 World Cup final victory at the MCG.”