Thursday March 21, 2013
Hussey and Ponting rule out Ashes return
SYDNEY: Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey yesterday ruled out shock comebacks to the Australian Test ranks for the Ashes Tour of England after the team’s troubled series in India.
With Australia 3-0 down in India and the first of back-to-back Ashes series rapidly approaching, coach Mickey Arthur has indicated he would be open to Hussey returning to the national set-up.
But the 37-year-old, who bowed out of Test cricket in January, said while he was flattered to be considered, he had retired from the international game.
“It’s extremely flattering,” said the 79-Test veteran, who has been in fine form for Western Australia in the domestic Sheffield Shield.
“But I’ve moved on and I really don’t want to be back in that pressure-cooker environment.”
Like Hussey, Ponting has been in sparkling form since quitting international cricket in December after 17 years and 168 Tests and was yesterday named the Sheffield Shield player of the year.
But the 38-year-old also ruled out a return to the Australian team.
“International cricket’s long passed me by,” he said in his Sheffield Shield acceptance speech.
Hussey suggested Twenty20 captain George Bailey could be a good addition to the Test team. — AFP
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