Former Northamptonshire captain Michael Hussey will not be returning to the Steelbacks this summer.
Northants were hoping to persuade the prolific Australian batsman to play in the domestic Twenty20 campaign this summer, but Neil Maxwell, Hussey’s Sydney-based manager, poured cold water on those hopes.
Hussey, 37, who retired from international cricket after the third Test against Sri Lanka in Sydney last week, has a full schedule of playing and family commitments this year.
“Its extremely unlikely that Michael will be playing county cricket for Northamptonshire this year,” Maxwell said.
“He’s going to be playing for Western Australia, then he’s going to the Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings, and then he’s going to need a rest at home.
“He was very flattered by the interest from Northants but he wants to spend more time with his family and to reduce his playing commitments having retired from Test, one-day, and Twenty20 internationals.”
Hussey enjoyed three prolific seasons at the county ground from 2001-03, and retired with the sixth highest batting average (51.52) in Australian Test history.
His priority in the twilight of his illustrious career is his wife, Amy, and children, Molly, William, Jasmin and Oscar.
“I certainly owe them a lot, they have been fantastic support over a long period of time,” he said.
“We’re away for up to eight to 10 months of the year, it is a big stress on family life.
“It’s also hard for the player being away for that period of time.
“I’m looking forward to watching the children grow up and be part of their lives.”
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