Former Australian and Chennai Super Kings batsman Michael Hussey made a bold comment about Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar during the three-match series between the two teams. Hussey joked that if he had started his international career earlier, he might have surpassed Sachin’s run tally of 5,000 runs.
Hussey had to wait until the age of 28 to make his international debut. The southpaw scored a ton of runs in domestic cricket to cement his place for Australia and became one of the team’s most consistent performers.
The middle-order batsman played a key role in Australia’s 2007 ODI World Cup win and two Champions Trophy wins in 2006 and 2009. Throughout his career, Hussey scored 12,398 runs in 302 matches across all formats at an impressive average of 49, including 22 centuries.
Probably about 5,000 runs ahead of Sachin Tendulkar-Michael Hussey
Speaking on The Grade Cricketer YouTube channel, Michael Hussey said that he might have overtaken Sachin Tendulkar and led in centuries, Ashes wins and World Cup wins. However, he admitted that it was just a dream, noting that the delayed opportunity gave him the chance to fully develop his game.
“I’ve thought about it a lot. I’ll probably be about 5,000 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar as the game’s leading run-scorer. Most centuries, most wins, most Ashes wins and most World Cup wins, probably all those things,” Hussey said.
He further added, “And then, unfortunately, I wake up in the morning and it’s just a dream. I would have got an opportunity earlier, but the good thing for me was that when I got selected, I had a very good understanding of my game.”
Michael Hussey’s late start limited his record but cemented his legacy
Michael Hussey had a remarkable first-class career, scoring nearly 23,000 runs at an average of over 52, including 61 centuries in 273 matches. A strong Australian lineup in the late 1990s and early 2000s delayed his international debut until the age of 28.
Sachin Tendulkar dominated in Tests and ODIs, scoring 15,921 and 18,426 runs respectively. Hussey scored 6,235 runs in Tests and 5,442 runs in ODIs, including 22 international centuries, compared to Tendulkar’s 100.
Hussey overtook Sachin Tendulkar by scoring 721 runs in T20Is, while Tendulkar scored only 10 runs in his only appearance. His late start may have limited his statistical legacy, but his consistency and impact are undeniable.
Australia won by seven wickets in the first ODI in Perth.
Australia registered a seven-wicket win over Team India in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, October 19. The Mitchell Marsh-led side took an early 1-0 lead.
Australia won the toss and chose bowling. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood destroyed India’s top order with the new ball attack. Rohit Sharma (8), Virat Kohli (0), and Shubman Gill (10) were out within 8.1 overs, leaving India struggling at 25/3.
The match was reduced to 26 overs per team due to rain interruption and KL Rahul (38) and Axar Patel (31) helped India post 136/9. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Owen and Matthew Kuhnman took two wickets each for Australia.
In reply, Marsh led from the front, scoring unbeaten 46 off 52 balls, while Josh Philippe (37) and Matt Renshaw (21*) added crucial runs. He completed the victory in the 21st over. The second ODI will be held on 23 October at Adelaide Oval.
Also read: Steve Smith leaks Marnus Labuschagne’s personal message regarding Ashes selection
