David John Hussey, born on July 15, 1977, in Morley, Western Australia, is a former Australian cricketer known for his aggressive batting style and his remarkable scoring ability. He is the younger brother of Michael Hussey, another renowned Australian cricketer.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, David Hussey established himself as a prolific batsman in the English county competition. However, before gaining recognition from the national selectors, he had to pile up an impressive number of runs in Australia. In the 2007-08 season, he reached his milestone of 1000 runs, a feat that earned him his first Cricket Australia contract and a spot on the West Indies tour in 2008.
Prior to gaining international recognition, Hussey made his Twenty20 international debut against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was during this time that he became one of the biggest surprises in the Indian Premier League auction, as he was secured by Kolkata for a whopping sum of $625,000, surpassing the amounts offered for his brother and Ricky Ponting.
Despite his exceptional performance in Twenty20 cricket, Hussey was determined not to be pigeon-holed as a limited-over player. He strived to prove himself in all formats of the game. Throughout his career, he consistently displayed his talent and versatility, becoming a standout first-class player in county cricket and for Victoria. In the 2007-08 Sheffield Shield campaign, only Simon Katich surpassed Hussey’s run tally.
Known for his aggressive batting style and strong bottom-hand technique, Hussey produced several memorable innings throughout his career. One such remarkable performance came in his breakthrough season in 2003-04, when he scored an unbeaten 212 runs at a remarkable run rate in a Pura Cup match. This innings caught the attention of Steve Waugh, the opposing captain, and Hussey ended the season with 857 runs at an average of 61.
Hussey’s international career was primarily focused on Twenty20 cricket, where he excelled as a key player for Australia. Nevertheless, he also made notable contributions in One-Day Internationals and first-class matches. His aggressive approach to batting was evident in his brutal 88 runs from just 44 balls in a Twenty20 international against South Africa, as well as his maiden ODI century against Scotland in 2009.
In addition to his impressive batting skills, Hussey was known for his consistency and reliability. He was named Victoria’s Player of the Year in all three formats for his exceptional performances in domestic cricket. His success extended even beyond Australia, as he made a significant impact while playing for Nottinghamshire in English county cricket.
Despite experiencing some ups and downs in his career, such as losing his Cricket Australia contract and struggling to maintain his spot in the national team, Hussey remained determined to excel in all aspects of the game. His commitment to improving his skills allowed him to leave a lasting impact on the cricketing world.
After retiring from professional cricket in 2016, Hussey transitioned into coaching, taking up roles as a mentor and consultant for various teams. His extensive experience and knowledge of the game continue to contribute to the development of cricket in Australia and beyond.
