Michael Hussey Explains Challenges of Batting Lower-Down in Tests

Test Cricket is meant to pose tough challenges for the players. It always asks the players to show their calibre by crossing those obstacles on their way. Meanwhile, the former Australia cricketer, Michael Hussey explains the extra-burden while batting at number five or six in Tests.

Currently, Australia cricket is suffering from the lack of quality players. Their top-class trio Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft are serving their respective bans following the ball-tampering controversy in South Africa in March this year. However, Michael Hussey opened up about the transition period.

Batting at 5 or 6 is a challenging – Michael Hussey

The stylish left-hander added that playing at middle-order will always be massive pressure on the player. Sometime, a batsman might walk in to rescue the team while sometimes he might step in when the ball is reversing pretty well.

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Apart from those, there will be situations when that batsman should carry the innings by asking his tail-enders to stay on the crease. Meanwhile, Michael Hussey nailed that position to perfection by averaging a stunning 51.34.

They’re challenging because there are so many different situations in games that you can come out to,” he told foxsports.com.au.

“You might come in and your team is in trouble and you have to resurrect the innings, you might come in and you’ve got to tee off and may throw your wicket away. You might come in when the ball is reverse swinging and you’ve got to bat with the tail so you have to think your way through it. It can be a really difficult position to bat.”

I want players to dominate domestic circuit for years to get a place in the national team – Michael Hussey

Meanwhile, speaking of a perfect player to take the middle-order position, the stylish southpaw added he wants to see six best batsmen for Australia.

Hussey quoted he would pick the people who nailed the Sheffield cricket over the years rather than doing well in one season or a half.

“I’d be looking for the six best batsmen in Australia,” he said. “My belief is those guys have had to have dominated Sheffield Shield cricket for a number of seasons – not just half a season, or one season – they’ve had to have dominated.

“Because if they’ve dominated for a number of seasons, they build up that experience, they understand their own game a bit better and they’ll be better adapting at going up and down the order.”

However, it would be interesting to see whether the Australian board considers Michael Hussey’s opinion. With Australia’s tour to UAE on its way, the selection of the team would be pretty intriguing.