IPL 2015: Chennai Super Kings' Michael Hussey Ready to Play any Role
Michael Hussey was snapped up by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2015 player auction.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: April 01, 2015 11:31 PM IST
Michael Hussey is happy to be back at the Chennai Super Kings and the 39-year-old Australian is open to performing any role for the two-time IPL champions in the upcoming edition. (IPL 2015: Formidable CSK the team to beat)
"I have not really thought about it (his role) too much. I need to sit down and have a chat with MS (Dhoni) and Stephen Fleming (coach) about what role they want me to play. At this age I just want to play whatever role that I can help the team, whether at the top or middle or helping the young guys on the field," said Hussey on his arrival in Chennai on Wednesday for the IPL beginning April 8.
Hussey, who has quit international cricket and last played for Australia in 2013, is still as fit as a fiddle. (IPL 2015 schedule rejigged due to Kolkata Municipal election)
"I am still training, having been playing in the Big Bash back home. I am fresh and still training with the hope of doing well here. I have had a fantastic run in IPL and I feel happy to be back in the team," said Hussey, who was released by the Mumbai Indians.
Dwayne Bravo, who was not part of the West Indies World Cup squad alongside Mumbai's Kieron Pollard, is another key player for Super Kings. Hussey feels the break for Bravo will help the team and same in Pollard's case.
"Definitely, they would be fresh and will be really wanting to do well. I think the guys are professional enough to know what they need to do. So Bravo would ready himself to play well. (Yuvraj, Zaheer eye national team comeback via IPL)
MS and some others guys have been playing more cricket. They would probably know what they need to do in the coming season," said Hussey.
Talking about the recently concluded World Cup, Hussey said he found his Super Kings teammate Ravindra Jadeja 'raw' in the tournament but his form is not a worry ahead of IPL. (Mitchell Starc injured, bad news for Royal Challengers Bangalore)
"I think he was quite raw in the World Cup. It is not easy coming in at that position (seven) and it is a very difficult position to bat on. I think he has got so much talent. Once he gets his confidence up he would be alright. To me, he is a great player."
About India and Super Kings captain Dhoni, Hussey said: "Dhoni has got a great understanding of the game. Great understanding of the people. He is a very consistent character. If things are going really well he does not get too excited and if things are getting bad, he does not get bogged down too much. He is a very consistent personality. I think it is very important for a captain." (Kevin Pietersen quits IPL to revive England career)
How does he rate Australia's World Cup winning performance? "I think Australia had a fantastic squad with so much balance and depth and so many great match winners. It was all about confidence and dealing with extra pressure to go after positive results. India did it in 2011 and Australia did it this year.
"But you cannot really compare (with Australian teams of the past). But the current team is a great team, no question. As I said the balance and depth in the team mattered most and the great match winners in the squad. From Australian point of view it was great to watch," Hussey added. (IPL: Sunrisers excel at auctions, questions arise on team compositions)