Under-pressure Australian batsman Mike Hussey has seemingly secured an Ashes berth with a timely Sheffield Shield century.
The 13-man squad for the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, which begins on Thursday, is to be announced on Saturday and Hussey looks safe after stroking a stylish 118 for Western Australia against Victoria.
Hussey had been under enormous pressure, with a total of just three runs in his three previous Shield innings, but looked to have rediscovered some of his form, producing a sparkling array of shots, including 15 boundaries and two sixes in his 160-ball stay.
The veteran said he had ignored speculation over his position in the Test side.
“I know it’s been out there of course, it’s been hard to shy away from, but I’ve just been really trying to concentrate on my game, playing my best cricket,” Hussey said.
“I know that I’m playing my best cricket when I’m not letting outside influences come into my mind.”
“Just to be able to get some time out in the middle, it felt like I hit the ball nicely,” he said.
While Australia’s batting line-up seems unlikely to be changed, off-spinner Hauritz could feel the selectors’ axe after his underwhelming recent performances.
He was seen casting a disconsolate figure leaving the SCG, after meeting with chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch, Australian captain Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke.
Hauritz took just six wickets for 390 runs in Australia’s recent two-Test series in India, which India won 2-0.
He also fared modestly in three Shield matches for NSW since returning, with combined figures from those games of 4-155, although pace-friendly pitches have not helped.
Hauritz bowled only one over in Friday’s loss to Tasmania at the SCG, his joyless day compounded by dropping a late chance that would have secured an outright result for the Blues.
His expected replacement in the Australian squad, Tigers left-arm finger-spinner Xavier Doherty, took 2-45 from 21 overs in the second innings.
