WA open to Hussey Shield return

Michael Hussey, the former Australia batsman, could make a return to Western Australia and first-class cricket after expressing a desire to play in the second half of the Sheffield Shield season.

Hussey has only played T20 cricket since the end of the 2012-13 domestic season in Australia and raised eyebrows by moving across the country to represent Sydney Thunder, rather than Perth Scorchers, in the third Big Bash League. After retiring from Test cricket last summer, Hussey was not retained on Western Warriors' list of contracted players for 2013-14 but he has since indicated his desire for a Shield return with his home state.

Responding to Hussey's comments, Justin Langer, a former Australia team-mate and current WA coach, said that any decision would have to wait until after the BBL. Regardless, Hussey will play in front of the Perth support again on Friday, when he leads the Thunder in pursuit of their first win.

"We're always happy to talk with Mike however we're in the middle of a BBL campaign, so are focused on the Perth Scorchers and our match tomorrow night," Langer said

"Mike has expressed some interest in making himself available for selected Sheffield Shield matches at the end of the season. We will look at this with Mike after the BBL and with a view to what is in the best interests of the Western Warriors at the time."

Western Australia are currently third in the Shield table, with four games left to play. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, the 38-year-old Hussey said that he could be available to play in WA's next Shield fixture - against Tasmania beginning on February 12 - but that the final call would be Langer's.

"Well, it's something I have been sort of chucking around with JL," Hussey said. "It's a bit in his court really. I have shown a bit of interest to play some games at the end of the year, but yeah we'll have to wait and see what happens.

"JL spoke to me early on in the summer and just said did I have any interest in playing Shield cricket and I said it was going to be too busy and too hectic before Christmas and obviously while the Big Bash was on. But afterwards I am definitely happy to look at it and we basically left it that we'll talk closer to the date and we'll see what happens."