Mike Hussey feels Stokes can be the Klusner of 1999 WC in Champions Trophy

Former Aussie middle order batsman, Mike Hussey who was famously known as “Mr Cricket”, is of the opinion that English all-rounder Ben Stokes will steal the show in the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled to be played in England & Wales from 1st June to 19th June. Hussey said that Stokes can make the same impact which South African all-rounder Lance Klusner did in the 1999 World Cup.

The English swashbuckling all-rounder hogged the limelight during the IPL auctions in February when he was bought at a whopping price of Rs. 14.5 crores which made him the most expensive foreign player in the league till date. He has played a total of 10 matches in this season so far and has been a consistent performer with both bat and the ball.

He did justice to his reputation when the southpaw scored a scintillating century against the Gujarat Lions, helping RPS win a nail-biting thriller. He has been consistent with the ball and has bowled some exceptional death over which given RPS some closely fought victories. Stokes will be with the RPS squad till the group stages before leaving for national along with other English players.

Hussey feels that in the last two decades, Stokes is “right up there” among the brutal stroke makers in world cricket. I’ve watched him in India in the IPL and he’s playing really well. I feel like his batting has improved immeasurably, he’s now starting to really work it out. And with the experience he’s getting better as a short-form bowler as well, he’s more confident in his own ability,” cricket.com.au quoted Hussey as saying.

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Hussey described him as an exceptional talent and said he has all the ingredients in him to become a really dangerous player to deal with. “He’s an incredible talent, incredible power. Once he starts figuring the game out in the mind, how he plays best and with a bit more experience it’s a really dangerous combination. All the assets are there and if his confidence is up and gets the opportunity to play well then he could get on a roll and be really hard to stop,” Mr Cricket opined.