Australian cricket great was impressed with veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s performance in the third Test against India.
Having taken 3/35 in the first innings and 8/64 in the second to help keep India to just 272 runs across the Test, Hussey says Lyon is bowling as well as he ever has.
With 118 Tests - 96 of those being consecutive - and 479 wickets to his name, Lyon is already an all-time great and could well end his career with one of the best records in cricket history.
While being aged 35 is usually nearing the end for a cricketer, Hussey doesn’t believe that’s the case for Lyon when asked how long the off-spinner could continue donning the baggy green.
“As long as he wants really,” Hussey replied on SEN Sportsday.
“He’s been amazing with his longevity and he’s still pretty young really.
“He’s got years and years to go, as long as his body keeps holding up.
“They always say spinners come into their peak into their 30s and maybe into their late 30s, it’s a tough art and I don’t see why he can’t keep going for a long time.”
When looking at great teams, one thing Australia hasn’t had throughout much of Lyon’s Test career is a solid number two spin option.
While Steve O’Keefe had his moments, Lyon has gone through many spin partners with the likes of Jon Holland, Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson all playing second fiddle but failing to bed down that role behind the off-spinner.
After years of looking for an understudy, Lyon has finally been blessed with Australia handing debuts to Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann debuts this series with both spinners impressing.
As both finger spinners have plenty of cricket ahead of them and look up to the level, Hussey was asked which bowler he’d pair with Lyon going forward if the Aussies opt for just two tweakers in their XI.
“I’ve been really impressed with Murphy, he looks really good,” Hussey replied.
“Having said that though, I like to have the balance in the attack where you’ve got one guy spinning it into the right-hander and one guy spinning away.
“I’d probably lean towards Kuhnemann, but only for that reason that he’s turning the ball in the opposite direction.”
Luckily for Murphy and Kuhnemann, it appears that they’ll both earn another opportunity with Australia expected to again go with three spinners for the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad which begins on Thursday (AEDT).
Listen to every ball LIVE on the SEN app, download for Apple and Android.