Hussey set for return trip to Scottish soil

Published on Wednesday 12 August 2009 22:46

AUSTRALIA'S Michael Hussey will be returning to the country where his international career began in spectacular fashion, when his team visit Edinburgh for a one-day international against Scotland following their winner-takes-all final Ashes Test against England at the Oval.

The left-handed batsman enjoyed half a season with the Ferguslie club in 1998, aged 24, before being called up to join the Australia A side to tour Scotland, making 136 not out on his debut against Scotland at Hamilton Crescent and sharing an unbroken 300-run third-wicket partnership with Damian Martyn.

Now Hussey is a fixture in the world champions' side which will be coming to Scotland for their eagerly awaited fixture against the Scots on Friday, 28 August. The match, which will be played at the Citylets Grange in Edinburgh, will be the first official ODI match between the two countries outside the World Cup. The Australians will use their match against the Saltires as further preparation ahead of their Twenty20 and ODI series against England.

Tickets for the match are currently on sale and are priced at 39 for adults and 25 for concessions. This price reflects a near 20 per cent reduction on the ticket price for last year's England match, which attracted a capacity crowd of over 5,500. Tickets are available from 0844 4811221 or online from the SECC ticket office at www. ticketsoup.com

Tickets for the match have been on sale since May and are being snapped up by cricket supporters throughout the country. There are tickets still remaining and these are on general sale.

Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland chief executive, said: "The UK has been gripped with Ashes fever over the last few weeks. As soon as the final Test is finished at the Oval, the Australians will be on the road to Scotland to take on the Saltires. This is a fantastic opportunity for the Scottish public to see the Ashes stars in action in what is sure to be a great spectacle."

Fraser Watts, the Scotland opening batsman, is thrilled by the challenge facing the Saltires later this month. "There's been loads of coverage of the Ashes and I'm sure many Scottish cricket fans have been following it very closely; I know I have," he said. "To play against the Aussies will be a huge challenge for us, but it is an opportunity we're really excited by."