MIKE Hussey has joined the list of Australian players to withdraw from this month’s Indian Premier League tournament, preferring to spend time at home with his family ahead of the Ashes tour in July.

Hussey said yesterday he had negotiated with his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings to skip the five-week tournament starting on April 18.

Australia’s selectors may also decided to rest the 33-year-old batsman — who has averaged only 23 in his past eight Tests this summer — from the one-day international series against Pakistan in Dubai starting later this month.

Australia’s ODI series against South Africa was due to start in Durban late last night, Melbourne time, and finishes on April 17, followed by the Pakistan series.

“I just spoke to the franchise and asked for the time off to be with family as my playing schedule has been very busy and they were very understanding,” Hussey said. “But I am available if we make the semi-finals (on May 22 and 23) and final.”

Captain Ricky Ponting, vice-captain Michael Clarke and pace spearhead Mitch Johnson are also not playing in this year’s IPL, which has been shifted from India to South Africa for security reasons.

Cricket Australia’s selectors are set to announce a squad next week for the one-day series against Pakistan. It’s understood selectors will take into account the virtual back-to-back nature of Australia’s playing schedule this year in selecting the squad for the Pakistan series.

Australia’s commitments include the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June, followed by the Ashes and seven ODI matches against England, the Champions Trophy in South Africa, the Twenty20 Champions League in India involving NSW and Victoria, a seven-match ODI series against India and a home summer starting in November against West Indies and Pakistan.
Source – theage.com.au