Hussey to quit Northamptonshire at end of season

Northamptonshire are to lose their captain and main run-scorer, Mike Hussey. The 28 year-old has made significant contributions since arriving at Wantage Road since arriving in 2001 as something of an unknown quantity. He has now announced that he wants to take a summer off from English cricket in the hope of furthering his international ambitions, at a time when Northamptonshire are poised for promotion in both the Frizzell County Championship and the National League.

As a measure of his influence on the county, he scored over 2000 runs in his debut season at an average of 79.03. The following year his aggregate fell to 1442 at an average of 68.66, while this season he averages 87.85 after hitting a career best 331 not out against Somerset - the third triple century of his county career.

He said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my three years at Northamptonshire 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."

It is alarming to think that Hussey has not played international cricket for Australia above the Under 19 level. The Western Australian did play for Australia A against England last winter, but that is as close as he has got.

Northamptonshire hope to be in a position to name a new overseas player before the end of the season, but will not make an immediate announcement about the identity of a new captain.