Not until he had scored 15,000 runs in first class cricket was any notice taken of Michael Hussey. In another country he might have given up the ghost, or been written off. Hussey was able to rise because he persisted. He refused to give up on cricket or let it give up on him. And Australia concentrates on performance not age, writes Peter Roebuck.
India could learn a lot from Michael Hussey’s hundred at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. Not just from his application or even his technique. After all India has many fine batsmen of its own. The most significant thing about Hussey is that he was playing at all.
It is not so long that he was cast as a reliable batsman lacking the special ability required to break out of his mould. At once he was a sound Shield player, an honest journeyman, a skilful operator and all the other labels that meant he was never going to wear the colours of his country. The sentiments were universal. Seldom has a batsman so far surpassed his supposed possibilities.
And there he was in the thick of the action once again, looking like he belonged, had been in Test cricket all his life. Perhaps he had, in his mind. Hard as they pressed the Indians could not remove him. No one else has been able to eject him either, or not without paying a heavy price. Once more his bat was broad, his shot selection faultless, his footwork alert and his placement precise. Somewhere along the way he must have erred but he never seemed troubled. He was an immoveable object.
In another country Hussey might not have become the best batsman in his side, might not have played at all. Not until he had scored 15,000 runs in first class cricket was any notice taken of him. In another country he might have given up the ghost, or been written off. It is common practice. Neil Mckenzie had to claw his way back into the South African side whereupon he scored heavily. It was not that the selectors thought he could not bat. They thought he was too old. But show ponies come along every five minutes and thoroughbreds once in a blue moon.
Hussey was able to rise because he persisted. He refused to give up on cricket or let it give up on him. And Australia concentrates on performance not age. Some players develop late. He was able to earn a good living as an overseas professional in county cricket. It tends to be forgotten that most of the mighty West Indians spent years with English counties, as indeed did Javagal Srinath, who swears by the experience. Amongst these Australians, Phil Jaques and Simon Katich also went to England and came back as better players. None of the rising Indians has spent time in the game’s finishing school. And the same applies to the older hands still hoping against hope.
Hussey’s county seasons taught him a lot. They did not curb his ambition as much as inform his mind. Accordingly he arrived in Test cricket armed with an abundance of knowledge and experience. As a county cricketer he was able to bat without feeling that his career depended on the next ball. Till then he had been looking too far ahead, wanting recognition too much, turning himself inside and out in its pursuit. It is possible to want something too much. Service as a senior county batsman instilled responsibility and confidence.
As usual Hussey looked as well organised as a teller’s table. By now he knows his game and himself back to front, and knows that it is enough. He has stopped trying to be perfect. It is not a man’s supposed limitations that matter, it is the use made of his strengths. Many batsmen with sound Ranji Trophy records must watch him and wonder. Why him and not fifty others of seemingly similar ability? Perhaps it is that he refused to give up, dared to dream.
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