Birthday special: Michael Hussey – Five match-winning knocks by the Australian
Michael Hussey is considered among the finest batsmen in Australian cricket history. He is celebrating his 47th birthday today. Hussey scored over 11000 runs in international cricket and was part of 294 matches for Australia. He was phenomenal in the Indian Premier League as well. In this article, we will be listing out five best match-winning knocks of his international career.
5) ODI vs New Zealand, 65* (73) in 2007
In this ODI, Australia were chasing a modest target of 219 runs. However, they lost the first three wickets for only 17 runs. At the score of 77, they lost their fourth wicket in the form of Andrew Symonds. From there, Michael Hussey played a wonderful knock of 65 runs off 73 balls to seal the game for his side. He hit 6 fours and 1 six in his unbeaten innings.
4) ODI vs Bangladesh, 108 (91) in 2011
In this game, Mike Hussey smashed a wonderful century scoring 108 runs off 91 balls. He hit 9 fours and 2 sixes in his innings. Australia posted a total of 361/8 in 50 overs with valuable contribution from Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke as well. In response to this, Bangladesh could score only 295/8 and lost the match by 66 runs.
3) Test vs India, 145* (259) in 2008
In the Test match played against India in 2008, Australia scored 463 runs in the first innings with the help of a century from Andrew Symonds. In response, India piled on 532 runs with hundreds from VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar. However, in the second innings, it was Mike Hussey who made sure that his side were ahead. He scored 145 runs off 259 balls, and Australia declared their innings at 401/7. India lost the game in the end as they got dismissed for 210 runs in the fourth innings.
2) Test against South Africa, 89 (197) in 2006
In this Test match, Mike Hussey performed brilliantly in both innings. In the first innings, he scored 73 runs off 153 balls to help the team put up a total of 270 runs. South Africa had set a target of 292 runs for Australia in the fourth innings. For Australia, their opener Justin Langer could not bat due to injury, and Mike Hussey was sent to open along with Matthew Hayden. Hussey showed great maturity and played a valuable knock of 89 runs off 197 balls. Australia won this match by 2 wickets in the end with Damien Martyn hitting a ton.
1) T20I against Pakistan, 60 (24) in 2007
This is one of the best knocks played in the history of the T20 World Cup. Australia were chasing a target of 192 runs against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2007. They looked in trouble at the score of 144/7 in 17.1 overs. They now needed 48 runs to win off 17 balls. From there, Michael Hussey played a blinder and smashed 60 runs off only 24 balls. Australia won this match with one ball remaining by 7 wickets.
