Hussey won't play Shield for WA

Michael Hussey, the former Australia batsman, will not play for Western Australia for the second half of the Sheffield Shield season. Hussey met with WA coach Justin Langer and it was mutually agreed that his limited availability this season would not be in the best interests of the team.

"Mike and I had a good chat this morning and, in the end, we agreed it wouldn't be in the best interests of the team, or himself, to return to the Warriors for the remainder of this season," Langer said. "Mike and I have been friends for a long time and he's always been a person who gives 100 per cent to everything he does.

"He is an iconic player and I would love to have Mike Hussey play for the Warriors, but he has made it clear that his heart isn't 100 per cent in returning to Shield cricket. On the back of his retirement from international cricket last season, I respect his decision."

Hussey said: "On reflection, I know in my heart that as much as I would like to play Sheffield Shield cricket for Western Australia, it would not be fair on the team and I believe it is time for the younger players to step up and grab their opportunities with both hands."

After retiring from Test cricket last summer, Hussey was not retained on Western Warriors' list of contracted players for 2013-14. In January, Hussey had expressed his desire to play Shield cricket for WA but Langer had said any decisions would have to wait until the end of the BBL. Hussey had played only T20 cricket since the end of the 2012-13 domestic season in Australia and raised eyebrows by moving to represent the Sydney Thunder, rather than the Perth Scorchers, in the third BBL.

Western Australia are currently third in the Shield table, with four games left to play.