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| November 2, 2005 | Wednesday | Ramzan 28, 1426 |
Hussey set for Test debut as Langer sidelined
BRISBANE, Nov 1: Mike Hussey will this week become the 393rd Australian to play Test cricket against the West Indies, but it only became official when good friend Justin Langer gave in to a rib injury.
Hussey, one of many well-credentialed cricketers waiting in the wings for Test places, got the word at net practice on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old left-hander had a sinking feeling that his Test debut would be on hold just a little longer as Langer tried to prove he could cope with a broken rib.
“He (Langer) was batting fine and hitting the ball nicely. I was thinking ‘Oh no, this wasn’t meant to happen’,” Hussey said.
“But at the end of his net he came over to me and said: ‘Look, Huss, you’re in’.
“I don’t think I saw the first four or five balls in my net. It was a great feeling.
“You never lose hope. I guess I really feel like I’ve had to earn it ... and that’s why it’s such a great honour.”
There were calls for the rejuvenation of the ageing Australian team which lost the Ashes to England in September and Hussey is among the vanguard of new faces expected to come in over the next 18 to 24 months.
Langer, who has played 53 consecutive matches since winning a recall for The Oval Test on the 2001 England Ashes tour, is now looking to return for the second Test in Hobart starting on Nov 17.
“It’s very painful. It feels like I have barbed wire in my chest every time I run,” Langer said.
“Since England we’ve promised as a group that we will increase our intensity and play like a great team. I just don’t think I’ll be able to play like a great player in the next five days.
“Hitting felt okay but the rest of it (fielding and running) was probably out of my league.”
Langer said Hussey had earned the right to play Test cricket and was highly regarded by his new team-mates.
“He’ll have big respect from Haydos (fellow opener Matthew Hayden) and I’m sure they’ll form a good partnership for this one Test match,” Langer said.
No Australian has made more first-class runs (15,313 runs at 52.8) before making their Test debut.
The 30-year-old left-hander has also scored 494 runs at 123.50 in 18 One-day Internationals, and averaged 55.46 in Australia’s Sheffield Shield last season.
“I’ve been through heaps and all the enjoyable hard work is worth it in the long run,” Hussey said.
“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little kid and hopefully it will all sink in once I’ve been presented with that baggy green cap.”—AFP
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