da casino： Michael Hussey will make his Test debut on Thursday, after Justin Langer failed to recover from his fractured rib
Peter English at the Gabba01-Nov-2005
Michael Hussey: all set for his Test debut © Getty Images
With the words “Huss, you’re in” Justin Langer ruled himself out of thefirst Test and gave Michael Hussey the opportunity he’s been waiting forsince he was five. Langer succumbed to a fractured rib despite batting inthe nets today and Australia will have a new opening combination in a Test for thefirst time since August 2001 against West Indies on Thursday.Hussey was called into the squad on Monday but felt his opportunity waslimited when he watched Langer train without emotion this morning. WhenLanger walked across after a meeting with Trevor Hohns, John Buchanan andErrol Alcott, Hussey knew he would be losing the tag of the country’s mostunlucky batsman and become its 393rd Test player.”I never lost hope,” said Hussey, who in plundering 15,313 first-class runs at52.80 holds the record as the most prolific Australian scorer before winninga Test cap. “I really feel like I had to earn it and that’s what Testcricket in Australia is about. I’ve been through heaps, but loved everyminute along the way. All the hard work has been worth it.”Langer, who was hit while batting for Western Australia in an ING Cup match onSaturday, has played 53 consecutive Tests since replacing Michael Slater atThe Oval four years ago and was disappointed to break his record-breakingpartnership with Matthew Hayden. He knew the streak was in trouble on Mondaybut completed a full session before scratching himself.”It’s very painful and it feels like I’ve got barbed wire in my chest everytime I run,” he said. “I’ve never had a break before but Errol [thephysiotherapist] said give it seven days and it should be back to normal.”Langer has gained a reputation as one of the game’s ironmen with his high pain tolerance, but he was worried he would let himself down if he tookthe field. “After England we promised as a group we would increase ourintensity and play like a great team,” he said. “I don’t think I can playlike a great player over the next five days.”Hayden and Hussey is another left-handed partnership with a ring to it andLanger said his state team-mate was his preferred replacement because of hisextreme desire to play for Australia. “He’s as hungry as anyone I’ve met andas long as he watches the ball and smiles he’ll make plenty of runs,” Langersaid. “He has huge respect in the team and huge respect from Haydos – I’msure they’ll be a great partnership for this Test.”Hussey said receiving the news was “a bit surreal” and it was “weird” takingthe place of Langer. “We’ve been through a lot together in WesternAustralia,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a littlekid. Hopefully it will sink in when I get my baggy green.”