Katich lauds ‘tough’ Hussey for performing under pressure

SYDNEY - Australian batsman Mike Hussey’s career-saving Sheffield Shield century shows that he is in excellent shape for the Ashes, his former club and Warriors teammate, Simon Katich, has said.

“That’s an amazing effort to do that under that sort of pressure,” The Age quoted Katich, as saying, referring to Hussey’s 118 runs in Western Australia’s second innings in last week’s Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.

“It was obviously a pretty aggressive innings and I think that’s when he’s playing his best cricket, when he’s busy and looking to score and put pressure back on the bowler,” he added.

With Hussey’s Test average dropping below 50 for the first time after three lean years, and failing in three successive interstate innings, the 35-year-old’s career was on death row before his century.

“There’s no doubt that with so much speculation, when you’re in that position it’s very difficult to do what he’s done,” Katich said.

“It’s a very good sign mentally that he’s been able to deal with that (speculation) and get his mind right about playing how he wants to play,” he added.

Hussey, who had done his best to block out speculation surrounding his position, felt his form was strong and vowed to play in that same attacking manner when the five-Test series starts at the Gabba on Thursday.

“It’s been an interesting time,” he said. “I must admit it’s been difficult (to block out the speculation) but at the end of the day it’s all been outside, distraction stuff.

“I still felt I could contribute to the team and while you have your self-belief and confidence in your own ability then you don’t think about the worst-case scenario,” the batsman added. (ANI)