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Australia v Sri Lanka: Michael Hussey retires with 3-0 series win

Last updated on .From the section Cricketcomments46

Australian cricketer Michael Hussey (C) is carried off the field by Peter Siddle (R) and Mitchell Johnson (L) after defeating Sri Lanka
Third Test, Sydney:
Australia 432-9 dec & 141-5 beat Sri Lanka 294 & 278 by five wickets
Match scorecard

Michael Hussey bowed out of Test cricket on a winning note as Australia beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in Sydney to seal a 3-0 series whitewash.

The 37-year-old made an unbeaten 27 to help Australia overhaul a modest target of 141 on the fourth day at the SCG.

Hussey, who scored 6,235 runs at an average of 51.52 in 79 Tests, said: "What a place to finish."

Earlier, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 278 after resuming on 225-7, with Dinesh Chandimal making an unbeaten 62.

Seamer Jackson Bird finished with 3-76 - and seven wickets in only his second Test - to claim the match award.

"I couldn't be happier," added Hussey, who began his Test career in 2005 and was afforded a standing ovation when he came out to bat before tea at the SCG.

"I didn't want to bat at all. I was hoping we would get the runs with none down."

Although the hosts lost David Warner without scoring in the second over of their pursuit, victory never looked in doubt against a Sri Lanka side that have now not win a Test in Australia in 14 attempts.

Phil Hughes made a rapid 34 before falling lbw to Rangana Herath, while Tillikaratne Dilshan had captain Michael Clarke taken at short-leg for 29.

By the time Herath accounted for Ed Cowan, who compiled a patient 36, and Matthew Wade, Australia's triumph was all but secured.

With two runs needed to win, Hussey took a single, and the crowd cheered Mitchell Johnson as he appeared to be blocking out the over before Hussey called Johnson through for the winning run to point off Herath.

"We won the series 3-0 and that was our goal against Sri Lanka," said Clarke, whose side play England in back-to-back Ashes series this year.

"We are improving slowly as a group but we know the next 12 months is huge for us."

Clarke, who is struggling with a hamstring injury, has been left out of the one-day squad for the first games of the five-match series against Sri Lanka starting on 11 January.

Hussey, who said he would retire from international cricket at the end of the Australian summer, was also omitted, meaning he is unlikely to play for Australia again.

Australia squad for first and second ODIs: George Bailey (capt), Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Phillip Hughes, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.

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46 comments

  • Comment posted by User0467624406, at 09:52 6 Jan 2013

    A truly fantastic cricketer and a real fighter shown by his wonderful run scoring form in the last ashes series
    I wish him a fantastic retirement

  • Comment posted by User0117218983, at 09:56 6 Jan 2013

    congratulations mr cricket

  • Comment posted by User0800941099, at 12:02 6 Jan 2013

    Farewell Hussey. As a Pakistani cricket fan, I would never forget your 60 no against us in the 2010 T20 World Cup!

  • Comment posted by User0621357258, at 16:25 6 Jan 2013

    An Honest and a great work ethic cricketer. You will be missed Mr.Cricket.

  • Comment posted by MrJRDavies, at 10:23 6 Jan 2013

    Great servant to cricket and to the Australian national team. All the best for the future Michael.

  • Comment posted by User0418076377, at 10:24 6 Jan 2013

    As a cricket fan its sad to see a class player retire. As an Englishman I'm delighted to see the back of him, particularly with two Ashes series this year.
    Congratulations on a great career & I hope you have a long & happy retirement " Mr Cricket"

  • Comment posted by Rene Artois, at 11:08 6 Jan 2013

    Unlike Ponting, I felt Hussey might just have one more ashes series left in him- I wonder if the back-to-back ashes has brought forwards his decision to retire.
    Outstanding player- probably deserved a longer test career- remember he didnt make his test debut until age 30, and still has outstanding stats.
    re walking- bad decisions go both ways- you won't be reinstated, so why should you walk.

  • Comment posted by seac77, at 10:18 6 Jan 2013

    one of aussie greats, am glad too see he wont be competing in this years ashes against us, but sad to see another great retire

    a true gentleman of the game

  • Comment posted by cisninho, at 14:35 6 Jan 2013

    What a great player. As a Northants fan I recall the two great innings of 300+ and his move to England and Northants came at the right time for his international career. He filled some big shoes for the Baggie Greens and his average is testemont to his ability.

    Thanks Mike for the joy and the frustration.

  • Comment posted by Linense, at 12:29 6 Jan 2013

    Great batsmen, Australian but still not hard for a Pommie to acknowledge his career and wish him well for the future. The stats do not lie, 51.52.

  • Comment posted by Bob B, at 10:24 6 Jan 2013

    @6. Rather silly comments really. Hussey isn't alone in not walking, plenty of our players wait until given out, as they should, and we don't doubt their morality.

    He has been a very good cricketer, has played some tremendous innings and I, for one, am glad that he and Punter won't be playing against us this summer.

    Well played Mr Cricket.

  • Comment posted by RStringer9, at 10:02 6 Jan 2013

    A real battling cricketer that always gave his absolute best! From an English perspective very good and surprising news in a double Ashes year. Definitely weakens the Australian team further of experience and world class batting coming so soon after the retirement of Ponting. Will be interesting to see how Australia replace him.

  • Comment posted by User0414126670, at 10:56 6 Jan 2013

    Mr. Cricket, thanks for the memories.
    Great professional and by all accounts a great guy!.. pity you wont be around for the upcoming ashes competitions but i'm sure we will see you in the IPL etc...

  • Comment posted by hainba, at 10:50 6 Jan 2013

    Mr Cricket deserves the plaudits for the hard yards he put in for the team & Austrlian cricket over the years, never one to hide from a challenge.

    On the subject of walking @6 & 16 good article in the Times the other day with Atherton taking over as cricket correspondent and attitudes to walking as a professional cricketer.

  • Comment posted by User0209675549, at 09:33 6 Jan 2013

    Nice to see a good news story for a change. I hope Mr. Hussey a wonderful retirement.

  • Comment posted by User0562868144, at 16:17 6 Jan 2013

    Well played and thanks for the memories Huss. BTW the stats of the top ten all time greats are impressive - but Bradman towers above all. A run a ball during a career lasting twenty years!

  • Comment posted by U14821909, at 20:40 6 Jan 2013

    Vishal, congratulations on yet another series defeat, this time against your old enemy :)

    I suppose as long as Tendulkar is hanging around breaking personal records than your country won't mind losing for a little while longer PMSL

    India ::))))))

  • Comment posted by User0813493733, at 10:34 6 Jan 2013

    Great cricketer with a true passion and love for the game, and a great bloke by all accounts. Well done.
    @6 as far as I'm aware the only player in recent times to make a point of walking was Adam Gilchrist. But keep those blinkers on champ

  • Comment posted by User0082380283, at 13:35 6 Jan 2013

    Great Aussie player.

  • Comment posted by Kilted Aussie, at 20:28 6 Jan 2013

    Test avg 51.52. 85 catches. ODI's avg 48.15. 105 catches. How many games did he save ? Stats don't tell. How much enthusiasm for cricket ? stats don't tell. Great player, great servant of cricket.

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