Australia’s Mike Hussey calls Test stumps at 37
View(s):SYDNEY, Dec 29, 2012 (AFP) – Australian veteran Mike Hussey announced Saturday he will retire from Test cricket after next week’s third and final match against Sri Lanka in Sydney.
The evergreen Hussey, who continues to flourish at 37, just months younger than Ricky Ponting who called it quits earlier this month, said he wanted to spend more time with his four young children, who are all aged under eight.
“The Sydney Test against Sri Lanka will be my last Test match for Australia and I’m going to retire from international cricket at the end of the Australian summer,” he told the Nine Network.
“I was quite excited to tell them (children) that I’m not going to go away and play for Australia any more.”
Hussey has scored 19 hundreds in 78 Tests and averages 51.52.
The senior left-hander has had a successful calendar year with four centuries and has been in great scoring form this summer season against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
His retirement will leave a huge hole in Australia’s lower batting order ahead of next year’s back-to-back Ashes series against England.
Hussey said any Test match is a stressful experience, but next week’s third Sydney Test could be different.
“I feel like I can come into this last Test match with no pressure whatsoever,” he said.
“I can just really go out there and enjoy it.”
Australia have already clinched the three-match series against Sri Lanka with huge wins in Hobart and Melbourne.
Hussey, who made his Test debut at the late age of 30 in 2005, has become Australia’s 12th-leading runscorer with 6183 runs at 51.52.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said Hussey would be a huge loss on and off the field for Australia.
“Michael Hussey has been a vital contributor to many Australian team wins over his very successful Test cricket career,” Sutherland said.
“Affectionately known as “Mr Cricket”, he has always been thoroughly committed to meticulous preparation and the highest levels of physical fitness, which have in turn delivered consistent performances in all forms of the game.
“An incredibly reliable player and leader within the Australian cricket team, Michael will retire from Test cricket with a record that puts him amongst the very best Australian batsmen of all time.”
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