Hussey expects Australia to qualify for the semi-finals in the Champions Trophy

Michael Hussey is no stranger to the ICC Champions Trophy as he has been a part of a winning Australian squad twice in 2006 and 2009. The Perth born left-hander was recently announced as one of the 8 brand ambassadors appointed by the ICC ahead of the 8^th edition of the tournament.

In his latest column for the ICC, Hussey has said that Australia will at least qualify for the semi-finals if they play to their true potential.

“The Australia squad looks strong and if it can play at its best, should get through to the semi-final stage, at least,” the veteran batsman stated.

“When you put world-class talent, who are highly motivated to win for their country and desperate to win the ICC Champions Trophy, all on a cricket field together, you create a perfect storm for inspirational performances that will be remembered forever in the history of our great game,” Mike Hussey wrote in his column for ICC digital.

Steven Smith is the leader of a 15-man squad who is set to participate in two practice games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan on May 26 and May 29 respectively before they take on New Zealand in their first Group game at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 2.

Sixty percent of the squad is busy participating in the IPL, which Hussey said was vital preparation while the rest 6 members will practice at the National performance Centre in Brisbane.

“As many as nine players of the 15-man squad are honing their skills in India at the IPL, while the remainder will prepare in Brisbane at the National Performance Centre before the squad comes together in the UK for a few important practice games before the tournament begins,” Hussey mentioned in his write-up.

Hussey, a veteran of 10 CT games where he scored 228 runs at 38 with a highest score of 67, mentioned the challenged that a multi-country tournament presents for a cricketer. This 8-nation tournament also means that some great cricketing rivalries are revisiting in tensed clashes.

“From a player’s point of view, this tournament is really motivating because you want to measure yourself against the best players in the world and gain the respect of your peers. There are some great rivalries, such as India v (versus) Pakistan and Australia v (versus) England,” Hussey added.

Hussy picked the title win in 2009 as his favorite memory of his playing career, though he was also a part of a World Cup win in 2007. Playing in South Africa, Australia remained unbeaten in the tournament to successfully defend their title.

“One of the fondest memories of my career was when Australia defeated England at Centurion in South Africa in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009. Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting scored breathtaking centuries, taking us to the final, where we accounted for New Zealand to win the trophy,” Hussey further revealed in the column.

Australia, after their first game against the Kiwis, takes on Bangladesh followed by the hosts England at Edgbaston in Birmingham. An England-Australia puts the players under enormous pressure as they can’t afford to lose against England.

“People in the Australian public often say to me, ‘We don’t care if you lose every game, but just make sure we beat the Poms!,’” Hussey further said.

It was the Champions Trophy of 2006 where Hussey first won an ICC Trophy as an Australian cricketer.