Hussey's stock soars ahead of World Cup

Hussey has enhanced his reputation as the best ODI finisher by steering his side to victories in tense run chases.

His career was at the crossroads the last time Australia was preparing for a World Cup, but now batsman Mike Hussey is shaping up to be a pivotal player in his team's tilt at the tournament.

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In Australia's last two triangular series matches, Hussey has enhanced his reputation as one-day cricket's best finisher by steering his side to victories in tense run chases despite the failure of his team's top order.

Against England last Friday, the top-ranked one-day batsman in the world teamed up with Brett Lee to get Australia home, while yesterday against New Zealand, with just two wickets in hand, he struck a six to claim victory.

In both matches, the man they call "Mr Cricket" for his thorough professionalism, remained typically cool in a crisis.

The performances lifted his one-day international batting average after 52 games to a remarkable 79.94, with an equally impressive strike-rate of 91.94.

There are an increasing number of experts who believe Hussey is wasted batting at No 6 in limited-overs cricket, but the man himself said he was most comfortable in that role.

"I really enjoy and relish the situation (at No 6) where I can come in and try to have a positive impact on the team," he said in Sydney today.

Many comparisons have been drawn between Hussey and fellow left-hander Michael Bevan, who played a similar role late in the middle order in Australia's 1999 and 2003 World Cup successes.

Bevan, who recently retired because he was overlooked for Australia's 30-man provisional squad for the West Indies, averaged 53.