Smith best candidate for Aussie captaincy: Hussey
Back with his “IPL family” CSK, Hussey said he has been training hard since the end of the Big Bash league in January
After wielding the microphone during the 2015 World Cup and mentoring the South African team in the tournament that reached the semifinals, Australia’s Michael Hussey is back to something that made him a household name in the cricket world: playing. It’s been three seasons since he retired from international cricket, but Hussey looks fit as a fiddle at 39.
Back with his “IPL family” Chennai Super Kings, Hussey said he has been training hard since the end of the Big Bash league in January. Mr Cricket, who started his nets session two days ahead of the scheduled CSK camp, spoke about Australia’s title triumph and on why M. S. Dhoni was different from other skippers he has played under.
QOn Australia’s fifth World Cup crown: The reason for the triumph was their fantastic squad. It had so much balance, depth and packed with match- winners. It was all about confidence and dealing with the extra pressure of doing it at home. They did all that in style. There is a tendency to compare eras. No doubt, it’s a great team.
QOn Australia’s next ODI skipper: Steven Smith is good enough to take over from Michael Clarke ( who has retired from ODIs). George Bailey has also done a fantastic job and led the team on many occasions when Clarke was injured. If Australian selectors are looking for a longer term, then they might turn to Smith. A sign of a great team is to have a lot of good candidates for captaincy.
QOn his expected role with CSK: I haven’t thought about it too much. I am yet to talk to Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming about what they expect me to do. At this stage, I am ready to any role that helps the team. I will be glad in any position in the batting order or to help the young guys off the field.
QOn Chennai Super Kings’ chances this season: We have got heavy competition for spots and that’s one of the strengths of our squad. We have to put in a lot of hard work. It would be very nice to start on a winning note. Spinners R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are important to Chennai’s success.
QOn Dhoni’s captaincy: He has got a great understanding of the game, and more importantly, people. He is a consistent character. When things go his way, he doesn’t get too excited. If things go badly, he doesn’t get bogged down either. That’s his personality. And that’s what is very important for a captain.