Published: Dec 31, 2012, 03:52 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 31, 2012, 03:52 PM (IST)
Michael Hussey has played 78 Test matches and scored 6,138 runs © Getty Images
Sydney: Dec 31, 2012
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc says he was taken aback when Michael Hussey phoned him up to break the news of his decision to retire.
“It was quite a shock when I got the phone call yesterday from Mike,” Starc said, as reported by www.cricket.co.au
“With Ricky (Ponting) retiring and now Mike, it makes the Sydney Test a lot more special.”
“He’s going to leave a big hole. It’s hard to replace Ricky Ponting, now we’ve got to replace him and Mike Hussey.
“(I) got to play in Ricky’s Ponting’s last Test and I’ve always grown up watching Ricky Ponting and also Mike Hussey.
“I was quite nervous bowling in Ricky’s last Test so I’m sure it will be the same in this one for Mike.”
Starc, who was rested from the Boxing Day Test, says it was the right decision for the team. He was earlier said to be ‘shattered’ by the exclusion but says it was in the best interest of the team.
“Any player who misses a Test is going to be disappointed, but like I said it was all about the team and it was the right decision for my wellbeing and for the team as well,” Starc said.
“We’ve known for a while that this rotation policy would come into effect at some stage and it was my turn during the Melbourne Test.”
Starc wasn’t surprised by a good performance by his replacement, the debutant Jackson Bird.
“It was no real surprise that he’s taken wickets at Test level, he’s done it at domestic level for two years now,” Starc said.
He informed journalists that he is set to return to the playing XI for the third Test at Sydney after his captain Michael Clarke had indicated towards his return.
Starc will play in front of his home crowd in the Sydney Test, the match which is going to be Michael Hussey’s last for Australia.
Read all stories related to Michael Hussey’s retirement
