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December 31, 2012

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Australia looks to fill void left by Hussey

WITH Michael Hussey announcing his intention to quit international cricket just weeks after ex-captain Ricky Ponting retired, Australia's attention has turned quickly to who will fill the two big voids in the batting order for 2013 series in India and England.

The 37-year-old Hussey, seemingly at the peak of his powers, made the surprise announcement on the weekend as Australia prepared for the third test in a series it has already secured against Sri Lanka by winning the first two matches.

The traditional New Year's test at Sydney starting on January 3 will be Hussey's 79th and last, following Ponting, Australia's all-time leading run-scorer, into retirement.

Phil Hughes, a 24-year-old top-order batsman who has been in and out of the national lineup since scoring hundreds in both innings of his second test against South Africa in 2009, has been earmarked to continue batting at No. 3 after replacing Ponting for the Sri Lanka series. Pakistan-born Usman Khawaja will likely move into the test squad as a contender to bat at No. 5 or No. 6 after being on standby for skipper Michael Clarke in recent tests.

Hussey nominated his brother, 35-year-old David Hussey, among the contenders to bat for Australia in India and in the Ashes.

"I'm not worried about the team whatsoever," Hussey said yesterday. "We've got some fantastic candidates to come in - probably too many to name. Maybe David Hussey could get a run - one Hussey out, one Hussey in.

"History has shown players have come and gone. But the game continues to move forward, and it'll be no different with me."

Now it'll be left to Clarke to work with an inexperienced lineup as Australia faces the challenge of touring India in February and March and then faces England away and at home in back-to-back Ashes series.

Glenn Maxwell, a young off-spinning allrounder who is in the 13-man squad for the Sydney test, discarded Rob Quiney and Alex Doolan are all being touted as possible test batsmen of the future.



 

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