Hussey happy to get back to opening

Aussie says he jumped at the offer to open for Chennai Super Kings, who were crowned IPL-IV champions on Saturday

Hussey happy to get back to opening

Aussie says he jumped at the offer to open for Chennai Super Kings, who were crowned IPL-IV champions on Saturday

When the rest of the franchises were looking to revamp their respective set-ups at the end of three Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons, Chennai Super Kings were ready to go a step further. They retained as many as 16 players and stuck to the same management.

Chennai Super Kings' Michael Hussey sets off for a run against Royal
Challengers Bangalore in the IPL-IV final on Saturday.
PIC/SURESH KK

Having won two titles in four seasons, Chennai's brand value is at a whopping USD 70.16 m, according to a recent study done by a UK-based brand valuation consultancy. The Super Kings are a highly successful sports commodity and commercially viable both on and off the field.u00a0

Muttiah Muralitharan's departure paved the way for Suraj Randiv. They left no stone unturned in ensuring Subramaniam Badrinath, Ravichandran Ashwin, Michael Hussey, and Doug Bollinger were re-purchased, having already retained MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay and Albie Morkel.

When Matthew Hayden, who was Chennai's second highest run-getter in previous seasons, departed, there was a void with regards to the opening slot. Srikkanth Anirudha started with a blazing fifty in the season opener against Kolkata, but it was the decision to employ Hussey for the role during the third game against Bangalore that proved to be the definitive masterstroke. With 492 runs from 14 games, including four fifties, Hussey finished as Chennai's leading run-getter. Hussey, who was a regular opener at Western Australia for close to 12 years, and even made his Test debut as an opener against West Indies, enjoyed returning to the position.

"Yes, I really enjoyed returning as an opener for Chennai. I've definitely had the required game to open in all formats. When the management approached me to do the job, I jumped on it. Obviously, filling Haydos' shoes was going to be big. Murali Vijay was a good partner to bat with. I thoroughly enjoyed my time," Hussey told MiD DAY at the team hotel yesterday. "I am now looking forward to returning next season. Hopefully, I can continue as an opener. It is a position that is very dear to me.

"I've opened throughout my career, except for my country on a consistent basis." he said. "Hopefully, that will happen soon," added the 35-year old who was anxious to get back home to Perth to visit his family. "Yes, just heading back to Australia. I enjoyed the IPL as always and can't wait to return," he said.

Coach Stephen Fleming conceded that the team was apprehensive to make too many changes to a winning combination. "Going into this season, we were very certain about what we wanted. That's why we chased guys like Badrinath, Ashwin and Dougie (Bollinger) at the auction. Our game plan was clear. Obviously, it's tough to get whatever you want at the auction. Luckily, we did," he told MiD DAY.u00a0

Fleming said that Ashwin 'had emerged the most integral member of the side' after spinning Chennai to two consecutive IPL titles besides the Champions League Twenty20 last year. "He has always been a match-winner for us. He is always a confident bowler and transforms himself well as he takes wickets.

"The last four months in international cricket had really made him a thinking cricketer.u00a0

"Ashwin is a very valuable asset to the team and proved it again in the final. The ball with which he got Chris Gayle out was what set up the victory,"
said Fleming.