Michael Hussey has brushed off talk of wanting to succeed Ricky Ponting as Australian captain, saying he is happy just to be playing in the same side.
Hussey took charge of his first game as skipper on Monday in the DLF Cup against the West Indies and led from the front, scoring a maiden one-day century only to see his side beaten by three wickets.
His efforts came hot on the heels of a poll on leading website baggygreen.com that showed 54% of voters believed Hussey should be Australia’s next captain.
Current vice-captain Adam Gilchrist attracted just 20,3% of the votes.
”I’ve mentioned a few times that I’m 100% behind Ricky and Adam as captain and vice-captain of the team, and I can’t really see that changing for the foreseeable future,” said Hussey, who was deputising for a resting Ponting.
”I’m really happy to get an opportunity, but I’m 100% behind them.”
Hussey has emerged as an astute cricketing brain and also a valuable one-day batsman, and said he thoroughly enjoyed his first outing as skipper.
”I enjoyed trying to come up with new ideas to find a wicket, or how we were going to keep it tight,” he said.
”I’m also lucky that I had some very experienced cricketers around me to give me some help. I enjoyed watching the way Brian Lara constructed his innings as well, and trying to play some mind-games with him.”
At one point Ponting was the drinks man, bringing out refreshments for Hussey, who said he asked for advice.
”A couple of times when he came on, I was desperate for some help,” said Hussey. ”He’s very calm and doesn’t worry about too many things.”
Gilchrist is not playing in Malaysia but will return to the squad for the Champions Trophy in India next month. — AFP
