Hussey, Morkel to play for Chennai

Hussey and Morkel will appear for the IPL runners-up that will be led by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, reports G Krishnan.

Australian Michael Hussey and South African all-rounder Albie Morkel can stop worrying about which team they will represent in the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 from December 3-10.

HT Image

Hussey, who had to choose between Western Australia and Chennai IPL team, and Morkel, between Titans and the Chennai team, will appear for the IPL runners-up that will be led by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. These were the only two players who had the option of choosing teams in the Champions League.

"Hussey and Morkel will play for us," confirmed a Chennai IPL team source to HT on Tuesday. The IPL Commissioner, Lalit Modi had said at the launch of the Champions League in September that in the case of any player facing the problem of choosing between two teams, the player could determine the team he wishes to represent as per the contractual agreement.

"The right of first refusal rests with us," said the source. "We have sent the list of 15 to the IPL and it is for the IPL board to inform their respective State teams."

Hussey and Morkel were bought at the IPL auction for $3,50,000 and $6,75,000 respectively at the IPL auction early this year and played crucial roles in the team's passage till the final, where they lost to Jaipur.

Fleming new coach

Meanwhile, in a surprising move, the Chennai IPL team has sacked Kepler Wessels as its coach and named former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming in his place.