Mike Hussey will be recognised into Australia’s Cricket Hall of Fame, publicly recognising him as a cricket legend.
Cricket Australia announced on Boxing Day that the batting legend and Fox Cricket analyst would share the honour with 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.
“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,” said Australian Cricketers’ Association chief Todd Greenberg.
“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.”
Before the Boxing Day Test, the 48-year-old pondered on his selection, saying he was “very honoured.”
“I was astonished when I first learned… I couldn’t think of anything to say. I was definitely taken aback.
“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 represented Australia in 79 Tests and 185 One-Day Internationals, and he was one of the first significant international stars of T20 cricket, averaging 37.94 in the game.
He made 19 hundreds and averaged more than 50 in Test cricket after making his debut at the age of 30.
He won the Ashes with Australia in 2006-07 and the ODI World Cup in 2007.
Hussey went on to have a successful career after retiring, serving as a batting coach for several national teams and continuing to serve as an expert for Fox Cricket.
He’ll be joining Larsen, the long-serving captain and excellent all-rounder for Australia’s women’s side.
She appeared in 15 Tests, scoring 410 runs at 41.33 and taking 26 wickets at 18.73. Larsen also appeared in 49 One-Day Internationals, scoring 426 runs at 20.28 and taking 24 wickets at 31.79.
