Poor Hussey form worrying?

[Younis Khan #1]

Just wondering what you guys think of hussey's poor form of late? Anything to worry about?

[Nostromo]

I think it is, or should be anyway. Hussey is supposed to be a main batsman in the Oz lineup and a finisher and all that. But he has not even reached double figures for several innings in the past few matches. I don't think that the team can go on giving excuses that he keeps coming in at a time when acceleration was already in progress; Hussey has to pull his own weight. Actually, I believe that Hussey himself might be relieved if he is rested for a game or two; he knows better than anyone else that an in-form batsman - Hodge - was dropped to make way for Symonds when it should really have been himself that was left out. That guilty awareness is likely to create even more pressure in Hussey's mind to do better the next time, if only to show his team that their faith in him was justified. Resting him briefly might be the best thing not only for the team, but for the man himself.

Now that Oz are in the Super 8s with the two bonus points and not having to face South Africa again in that round, it might be a good idea to rest Hussey for a couple of matches and allow him to recharge his batteries. An idea would be to drop him for one of the easier matches - against Ireland or Bangladesh - and one against a stronger team immediatly before or after that other match.

[Navdeep]

Originally Posted by Younis Khan #1

Just wondering what you guys think of hussey's poor form of late? Anything to worry about?

Not for me, i wouldnt drop him, even now at the super 8 stage, the likes of Vincent/Sehwag had a couple of poor knocks, and came to the party vs the minnows, so think dropping the boy wouldnt be a great decision, even though he is lower down the order.

Think at the moment, it could be down to the aussies batting 1st vs Netherlands, SA and the Scots. This way, the top 5 or so compile 300 runs or so, and he isint sure whether to play for a bit or just slog, ends up either in between or the latter, therefore in my view, when the Aussies are chasing a target again, and hes called upon, he will be at his best.

[Quagmire]

Really not worried at all he is a very good batsman, every batsman has form slumps plus looking at when he has come into the matches it is not worrying at all because he is coming at the stages where its hit out or get out.

Overs gone before Hussey has come into bat.
Vs Scotland 45.3 overs (Australia made 377)
Vs Netherlands 47.4 overs (Australia made 358)
Vs South Africa 46.5 overs (Australia made 334)

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

Really not worried at all he is a very good batsman.

I am sure he is. He silenced his critics by almost reaching double figures today against the West Indies. What is there to say? Brad Hodge, eat your heart out!

[Younis Khan #1]

Originally Posted by Nostromo

I am sure he is. He silenced his critics by almost reaching double figures today against the West Indies. What is there to say? Brad Hodge, eat your heart out!

Every player has a bad run of form, and besides, hodge has done nothing to warrant a place ahead of hussey.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Every player has a bad patch. Look at Collingwood (first off the top of my head) he couldn't buy a good score, then he was winning matches for England. Not to mention the CB Series. I say just let him work himself out of trouble.

[Younis Khan #1]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

Every player has a bad patch. Look at Collingwood (first off the top of my head) he couldn't buy a good score, then he was winning matches for England. Not to mention the CB Series. I say just let him work himself out of trouble.

Exactly my thinking....

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

Every player has a bad patch.

Sure. He should then be rested to recharge his batteries and regain confidence. Actulally, I agree with you guys that Hussey is a very good batsman, but what I cannot understand is his enforced inclusion despite a run of failures in the Caribbean. The person that will suffer most by this situation is Hussey himself; I still feel that he is overworked. Unlike Ponting et al, he went to NZ after the Ashes and so has been working almost non-stop all summer. I feel that's why he has hit this bad patch.

Reputations aside, the team is more important. I am not claiming that Hodge is a better player than Hussey; just that he is playing better at this time. It makes more sense to include him and give Hussey a break.

[Younis Khan #1]

Originally Posted by Nostromo

Sure. He should then be rested to recharge his batteries and regain confidence. Actulally, I agree with you guys that Hussey is a very good batsman, but what I cannot understand is his enforced inclusion despite a run of failures in the Caribbean. The person that will suffer most by this situation is Hussey himself; I still feel that he is overworked. Unlike Ponting et al, he went to NZ after the Ashes and so has been working almost non-stop all summer. I feel that's why he has hit this bad patch.

Reputations aside, the team is more important. I am not claiming that Hodge is a better player than Hussey; just that he is playing better at this time. It makes more sense to include him and give Hussey a break.

Maybe after the WC he will get well deserved break?