Notts extend Hussey stay

Nottinghamshire have extended David Hussey's stay until the end of the season. The former Australia batsman will lead Notts in the Friends Life t20, which begins next week, and had originally been signed until the end of August.

Hussey, who will begin his eighth spell at Nottinghamshire in Friday's Yorkshire Bank 40 game against Sussex, replaces Ed Cowan as the team's overseas player. Cowan is due to join up with Australia's Ashes squad, who take on Somerset in a tour match beginning on Wednesday.

"I'm very lucky to enjoy a great reception from Nottinghamshire fans and there are a even couple of regulars in the front row of the pavilion who write to me throughout the winter to let me know what's happening at the club," Hussey said.

"I'm very biased but for me, Trent Bridge is the best ground in England. The atmosphere here is second to none and my memories of playing international matches here are great ones even though I was on the losing side both times.

"It's a great honour to represent this club as captain but it gives Chris Read a bit of a break as well because he does the hard stuff in the Championship."

Hussey, 35, played the last of his 69 ODIs in January and has also been capped 39 times in T20. He was dropped for Australia's home series against West Indies and was not part of their Champions Trophy squad but his availability has benefited Notts, for whom he has scored 5834 first-class runs at 64.82, as well as more than 3000 runs in limited-overs cricket.

He was most recently in action for Kings XI Punjab at the IPL, where he deputised as captain for Adam Gilchrist.