BRISBANE, (Reuters) – Mike Hussey showed impeccable timing by producing a magnificent innings of 195 in the first Ashes test against England yesterday, transforming Australia’s prospects in the match and perhaps saving his test career.
Hussey’s place in the Australia side had been called into question after a poor run of form and, although he rode his luck on Saturday morning, he answered his critics in fine style with his best career innings.
“Just to play in an Ashes test is a childhood dream but to score a century is something very special that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, definitely,” said the 35-year-old, who hit 26 fours and one six in his eight hour innings.
Hussey put together a record partnership of 307 runs for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who made 136.
The partnership was the highest in a test match at the Gabba, beating Don Bradman and Lindsay Hassett’s 276 for Australia in the 1946-47 Ashes series.
The pair produced the best batting performances so far in the first of the five Ashes tests, taking the hosts from 143-5 late on Friday to a first innings lead of 221.
Despite his innings, Hussey said he was taking nothing for granted as far as his future test career was concerned.
“I’m not thinking too far ahead,” he said. “I thought I had a good summer last year and sure enough coming into this year there was plenty of speculation about my place.
“So it doesn’t take too long. For me, it’s about enjoying this test match and this series as much I can and winning back the urn.”
The lefthander’s euphoria at reaching his century was obvious to everyone in the ground as he pumped his fist then raised his bat and helmet to take the ovation from the crowd before embracing Haddin.
“There was a bit of relief, a bit of excitement,” said Hussey. “It was great emotions running through my body.”
Haddin missed much of the year through injury and said he was just happy to be playing test cricket again.
“There’s been so much hype around this series, I was just excited to get out there and play and get some peace and quiet,” he said.
Both Hussey and Haddin had survived a torrid test in the first couple of hours of the day when James Anderson and Stuart Broad took the new ball.
“That was tough test cricket, we knew if we could get through that we would reap the rewards,” said Hussey. “We probably had a bit of luck getting through that but it was great test cricket.”
Australia have been in strong positions in a string of matches recently only to let their opponents back in the game.
“We’ve been in fantastic positions in the last year or so and it’s a challenge for our team, we’ve got to finish the job,” Hussey said.
“It’s test cricket so it’s not going to be easy. We’re going to have to work hard for it (the win) but it’s going to be very special if we can.”
SCOREBOARD
England won the toss and chose to bat
England first innings 260
Australia first innings (overnight 220-5)
S. Watson c Strauss b Anderson 36
S. Katich c&b Finn 50
R. Ponting c Prior b Anderson 10
M. Clarke c Prior b Finn 9
M. Hussey c Cook b Finn 195
M. North c Collingwood b Swann 1
B. Haddin c Collingwood b Swann 136
M. Johnson b Finn 0
X. Doherty c Cook b Finn 16
P. Siddle c Swann b Finn 6
B. Hilfenhaus not out 1
Extras (w-4 lb-12 nb-1 b-4) 21
Total (all out, 158.4 overs) 481
Fall of wicket: 1-78 2-96 3-100 4-140 5-143 6-450 7-458 8-462 9-472
Bowling: Anderson 37-13-99-2 (w-1), Broad 33-7-72-0 (w-1 nb-1), Swann 43-5-128-2, Finn 33.4-1-125-6, Collingwood 12-1-41-0 (w-2)
England second innings
A. Strauss not out 11
A. Cook not out 6
Extras (lb-1, nb-1) 2
Total (For no loss, 15 overs) 19
To bat: J. Trott, K. Pietersen, P. Collingwood, I. Bell, M. Prior, S. Broad, G. Swann, J. Anderson, S. Finn.
Bowling (to date): Hilfenhaus 6-3-6-0, Siddle 4-2-7-0 (nb-1), North 2-0-5-0, Johnson 2-2-0-0, Doherty 1-1-0-0