Sydney, Nov 14(ANI): Veteran Michael Hussey's brilliant century against South Africa in first Test match at Gabba, which mostly went unnoticed due to Michael Clarke's double ton, could help him secure a spot in the Test squad next year's Ashes series, according to senior cricket write, Robert Craddock.
"This was a crucial innings for Hussey. He needed to stamp his authority on South Africa in the way they have stamped it on him," Craddock wrote in his column for News.com.au.
"For a player averaging 50 his stats against the Proteas were grim reading before this innings ... 14 Tests for an average of 33 per innings and just one century," he added.
"The grimmest of all was that against Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander he had been dismissed 11 times for just 106 runs off the balls they faced from him. But this innings has redefined his future," he further wrote.
Craddock added: "In compiling his fastest Test century off 128 balls, he looked in great touch, dominating the three bowlers who dominated him."
"He had an extremely hard act to follow, but from the moment he took the crease he looked calm yet positive and ready to play the up-tempo innings Australia needed as they pressed for an unlikely victory," he wrote.
"The obvious conclusion would be to say he is Ashes-bound next year, but that would be premature. At 37, he must keep paddling strongly to keep his head above the waves. One bad series could sink him. But this is a pressure he is well acquainted with," he added. (ANI)