The master of hammer and tong

CHANDIGARH: While 'Mr Cricket' Michael Hussey has made a name for his uncanny quality of bailing out Australia when in trouble, the younger brother has carved out a niche for himself through sheer mastery in T20 cricket. David Hussey's price tag of $625,000, shelled out by Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural season of IPL, was far more than that of his brother Michael and even Ricky Ponting. Though he is yet to cement his place in the Australian ODI squad, his inclusion in the team will surely bolster Kings XI Punjab's chances of putting up an improved show in the IPL this year. One might question Hussey's IPL record of 511 runs in 23 matches at 26.89, but someone who averages 33.02 with a strike of 136.75 in 136 T20 clashes will always invoke fear in any bowler's mind. He is also a more than handy off-break bowler and a fielder with electric reflexes. No matter how hard hetries to get rid off the T20 specialist's tag, Kings XI Punjab will want to himto excel in this role only. A destructive batsman with strong bottom handtechnique, Hussey will be Adam Gilchrist's main player in the middle order whichsuddenly looks susceptible in the absence of big guns like Kumar Sangakkara,Yuvraj Singh and Mahela Jayawardene. Having a player who knows when to shiftgear in this format better than others and can definitely lend more solidarityto the team. A standout performer in English county cricket andVictoria in Australian domestic circuit, Hussey is known for his brilliantability to pace the innings. He is not only a master of lusty blows, but canalso build the innings by nudging the ball around. As the new season unfolds,Kings XI Punjab will want to see Hussey emerge as the most feared batsmen inIPL-4.