DESPITE calls in India during the week for their national hero Sachin Tendulkar to retire after a lean summer in Australia, Michael Hussey admitted he still felt trepidation whenever the player known as the ''Little Master'' took strike.
Tendulkar will today try to score the elusive 100th international century of his career when India take on Australia at the SCG. While the likes of former Indian skipper Kapil Dev said Tendulkar should consider retirement, Hussey told
he was still a prized scalp.
''He's still a key wicket,'' Hussey said. ''Experience says he's done it in the past. He's a great player and his record speaks for itself. Tendulkar is someone you're always desperate to get out cheaply because if you do you know the team is well on the way to limiting India to a smaller total and [therefore] winning the match.''
Hussey added there was always a danger for the rival team when a player of Tendulkar's status was publicly questioned. ''I don't know how the man ticks because I haven't had a great deal to do with him, but I don't think anyone needs that much more motivation to play for their country. However, if it has [struck a nerve] it makes him probably more dangerous, so [criticism of Tendulkar] is something I don't want to hear.''
The call from India for Tendulkar to stand down followed the decision by the Australian selectors to drop Ricky Ponting from the national one-day team the day after he had captained the side in Michael Clarke's absence. Ponting, who had been the backbone of many an Australian team, took the decision graciously and said he would continue to play Test cricket.
The swiftness of his demise shocked many, Hussey included. ''It was a tough call, a very tough call to leave someone of Ricky Ponting's class and character out of the team and he'll be missed around the team, there's no question,'' Hussey said.
''His experience is unquestionable and not a lot of people see the amount of work he does behind the scenes with the young players, throwing balls to them in the nets and contributing at team meetings. He'll be missed on so many levels.
''Ricky is always trying to provoke conversations in team meetings and in a social environment. He loves the game, he always wants to talk about it and he always wants to learn as well. He's always wanted to hear from younger players … and he's always willing to offer his experience and insights.''
Hussey, now the team's old hand, said while helping to nurture the young players was a responsibility he had happily assumed a long time ago, his advice was simple.
''I don't want to force myself onto any player, my philosophies are anyone who comes into the team should play their game and stick to what's made them successful in their state team … they shouldn't look to change too much.'' .
There has been an infusion of new blood into the one-day team, the new faces including Hobart centurion Peter Forrest, all-rounder Daniel Christian and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.
''We have some very exciting and talented players [in] all three formats of the game,'' Hussey said. ''There's some exciting young bowlers while the selectors are getting a good look at some good batsmen coming through. These young players are … showing not just Australia but the rest of the world that they're good enough to play at the highest level.''
DESPITE calls in India during the week for their national hero Sachin Tendulkar to retire after a lean summer in Australia, Michael Hussey admitted he still felt trepidation whenever the player known as the ''Little Master'' took strike.
