By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
MIKE Hussey is planning to play club cricket in Perth next weekend and in Western Australia's Pura Cup match from October 26 in Melbourne as part of his bid to be fit for the first Test against Sri Lanka next month.
Hussey, who was touted by Allan Border last week as a possible Test opener, injured his hamstring at the World Twenty20 Cup, leaving him with just three Twenty20 innings in the past four months.
"There's a one-dayer against Tasmania in Perth next Sunday but they're a bit concerned about the intensity of the game," Hussey told The Sun Herald yesterday.
"If I can get through a couple of days of club cricket, just taking it relatively easily, then that would be good. I really want to get some time out in the middle, perhaps in some lower-intensity cricket, and then hit Melbourne for the second Pura Cup game."
Assuming Hussey is fit for the first Test, a major selection dilemma appears to be brewing over whether he should open the batting or remain at No.4.
Border, a former selector, said that opening with Hussey would free up another middle-order spot. The left-hander has opened for much of his career but does well wherever he bats.
He was playing a straight bat yesterday, backing himself or the two other leading candidates, Chris Rogers and Phil Jaques, to do a good job if called up.
However, he said he had enjoyed the different challenges associated with batting in the middle order.
"If I had a choice, I'd stay where I am at No.4," Hussey said. "But I'd be up there if they wanted me to.
"I'm happy to do whatever they think is best for the team.
"If Ricky [Ponting] and the selectors thought that the best thing for the team is for me to open the batting, then I'd be more than happy to do the job.
"I spent most of my life opening the batting so I don't have any fears about it.
"But I have really fallen in love with batting in the middle order. I love the different situations of the game, batting with the tail at times, just the vastly different situations you get to play in."
Hussey backed either Rogers or Jaques to perform well as opener, if they were selected.
"He's a natural player who's done very well for WA," he said of teammate Rogers.
"I think he knows his game very well and understands what works for him.
"He is different to Justin Langer, myself or Phil Jaques.
"But he understands how his game works. Having that knowledge will hold him in good stead. I have no doubt that, if given the opportunity, he would be successful at the highest level.
"I feel the same way about 'Jaquesy'. They both seem like they understand what works for them as batsmen.
"Bearing that in mind, I feel they'd both do well."
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