Michael Hussey's arrival at the World Cup couldn't have been better timed for an Australian team that remains undefeated whilst enacting a group impersonation of The Invisible Man
Michael Hussey's arrival at the World Cup couldn't have been better timed for an Australian team that remains undefeated whilst enacting a group impersonation of The Invisible Man.
In addition to the undoubted boost his versatility provides for the batting order, Hussey's unbridled enthusiasm will be just the right tonic for a team that's endured long waits in between matches and then experienced very little challenging cricket.
Hussey's enthusiasm is infectious. If he's not playing a match, he loves to bat and bowl in the nets and then practice fielding. Then, when the daylight disappears he's happy talking cricket. Even if he doesn't enjoy it, he's earned the nickname, "Mr Cricket".
His brand of enthusiasm, complemented by a couple of serial pests in the team (taking the mickey and playing practical jokes), is the right mixture to endure long, mind-numbing breaks between matches. The washout against Sri Lanka (when the match was so evenly poised), must have been a major disappointment to the Australians.
They were relying on that game as a tough work out to tune up for the knockout stage, especially after New Zealand provided such meek opposition.
Not idealTo then have a week off, followed by two gentle affairs against the seriously weak Kenyans and the only slightly stronger Canadians, is not ideal for Ricky Ponting's men.
Those two games will be centre-wicket sessions, with the added excitement of an anthem. This is why the officials are right to query the wisdom of the minnows presence at the World Cup. It's like asking a CEO to prepare for a crucial Board presentation by speaking to a kindergarten class. Apart from Ireland (who have displayed a commendable competitive mentality), the rest of the minnows read like a struggling student's report card; "Tried hard but need to do better." The Australians must now hope the consistency-challenged Pakistan team has one of it's good days when the two sides meet. Australia desperately need a tough encounter before playing their quarter-final.
