Ever since the decision of Mitchell Johnson to pull out of the second season of IPL was made public, the tournament is in a continuous state of losing out its Australian cricketers; surprisingly for similar reasons. So, after Johnson, it was Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting and now, Michael Hussey who has decided to opt out of the prestigious tournament on the grounds of trying to regain their lost form for the all-important Ashes in England later this year.
Hussey has been undergoing a torrid time as a batsman; having lost his Bradmanesque appetite for runs. His average has dipped from the heights of dizziness to the more mortal look-alike in the last few months and his spot in the team has been under an increasing spotlight. Hussey had represented the Chennai Super Kings in the previous season – and would have in this season as well – and featured in four matches and ending with an average of almost 80.
My take on the issue: It is worth appreciating the fact that the aforesaid Australian cricketers do consider international cricket as something more vital than a five-week domestic tournament, but then one must also remember that most Australian cricketers – as also the English and Indians – earn a lot out of representing their countries and through personal endorsements. As compared to that, the West Indians, Pakistanis and the Sri Lankans do not make a lot of money, making their future a tad insecure. In this case, what would bother the Aussie cricketers is that their national selectors do not care much for reputations and past performances and the same had been seen in the careers of greats like Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. Someone like Hussey does realize the importance of earning and retaining that Australian baggy-green, as he had made his debut very late in his career, and so he may not want to give it up so easily.
All said and done, full marks to the Australians for getting their priorities right and going by their gut feel; though, I would also love to see how the IPL responds to these increasing instances of player pull-outs.