Australia captain George Bailey says he’s sick of the debate over David Hussey’s non-selection in the side for their World Twenty20 campaign.
Hussey, the leading scorer in the history of T20 domestic and international cricket, was dropped from the team after making four runs in the first two matches of the three-game series against Pakistan earlier this month in Dubai.
Not required for both World T20 warm-up games in Colombo, Hussey was also left out of Wednesday’s Group B clash with Ireland.
With a record of 756 runs at 23.62 and 19 wickets at 19.47 in 38 T20 internationals, Bailey admits Hussey’s credentials can’t be overlooked.
Australia were yet to name a side for Saturday night’s (starting at midnight AEST) Group B match against West Indies.
Australia’s third World T20 assignment, should they qualify for the next stage, is their opening Super Eights game on Friday in Colombo.
Bailey says middle-order batsman Cameron White and offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell are ahead of Hussey in the minds of selectors.
“The way Cameron White is striking the ball, we feel like he is going to give us great impetus through that middle period,” Bailey says.
“Maxie has a bit of x-factor. His bowling is probably slightly ahead of David’s.
“His fielding is outstanding for us.
“We’d love to have Dave Hussey in the team.
“I don’t know who people would want to see out.
“I’m getting a little bit sick of talking about the Dave Hussey scenario.”
Bailey says with a strong 15-man squad, there was always going to be four unlucky players.
“The advantage Dave Hussey has is the fact he can bowl a few overs. We know how good a striker of the ball he is,” Bailey said.
“Coming into the back end of the tournament if the wickets do start to turn a lot, there’s an option to bring him back in.”
Hussey says pacemen Clint McKay and Ben Hilfenhaus, spinner Xavier Doherty and himself are all ready to go if required and that’s the beauty of having lots of options in the squad.
“I’ve had great communication with (coach) Mickey Arthur and George Bailey (who are both selectors) and while of course I’d love to be in the eleven, I know where things are at,” Hussey said on Saturday.
Before Saturday night’s game, Hussey was outside Australia’s top five T20 international runscorer in 2012 with 89 runs at 17.80 in six matches.