Hussey ready to cop criticism, but will let bat do the talking

PERTH - Australian middle order batsman Mike Hussey has accepted that he is under pressure to hold on to his Test spot despite scoring a battling 121 in his last outing at The Oval and returning home with fine performances in the Champions League in South Africa and the one-day series against India.

Hussey says that he is ready to cop the criticism coming his way, and well let his bat do the talking in the Gabba Test against the Wes Indies and in the matches to follow.

“There’s always going to be critics out there and that’s not necessarily a bad thing,” he told The Sun Herald from Perth on Friday.

“Selection talk is a great part of the game, but I’ve tried to shy away from it lately and not get caught up. It has been hard to be immune from it all, though, given there’s been quite a few critics calling for my head. But at the moment it’s been better for me to concentrate on what Ricky and the selectors are saying regarding what they want from me,” he added.

Chief selector Andrew Hilditch said Hussey’s most recent efforts helped his cause and his place was safe.

Hussey revealed he had analysed his methods of dismissal in Test cricket and noticed a pattern that he planned to address.

Hussey is one of seven players who will head into the first Test without having played a first-class match since August.

But, while the pundits expect the West Indies to put up little resistance, the Australians have identified areas of strength in the tourists that they need to be cautious of.

“I was pretty comfortable just having the week at home. I was pretty keen to have a week to chill out and spend time with my kids and take my mind off the game. India, especially, is a pretty mentally and physically demanding place to play and I was pretty exhausted by the time that trip was over,” said Hussey.

“It’s been nice just for Amy [wife] to have me around so I can give her a hand. She’s been looking after our three kids on her own for a while so I’ve tried to help out around the house … I haven’t done any cricket training at all, just taken my mind off everything so I can go to Brisbane as fresh as possible,” he added. (ANI)