Hussey to miss next season

Mike Hussey has decided not to return to Northamptonshire next season.

Hussey, who has captained Northants for the last two seasons, has enjoyed an outstanding three years as an overseas player in England, but will take a break from cricket next summer.

Instead, he will return to Australia for the winter season, and hopes that the time off will help him earn international recognition.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my three years at Northamptonshire," said Hussey, "and have made some great friends at the club and in the town. But since coming over to play county cricket, I have played seven successive campaigns alternating between England and Australia.

"I have felt jaded at times this season and feel that now is the time to take a break and re-charge my batteries. My ambition is to play for my country and I need my mental and physical fitness to be at its peak."

Northamptonshire hope to name a replacement overseas player before the end of the month but will make no immediate decisions regarding the captaincy. Hussey hopes to sign off on a high by leading Northants to promotion in both the Frizzell County Championship and National League.

He arrived in England as a relative unknown in 2001 but soon made an impression by scoring a record 2055 first-class runs, including 329 in one innings against Essex.

Last month he plundered his third triple century in as many seasons, 331 against Somerset, and will lead Northants in their championship against Durham at Wantage Road today.