IPL star selected as Rugby wildcard for T20 Black Clash

Media release: immediate use

Australian IPL star David Hussey selected as Team Rugby wildcard for T20 Black Clash

Former Australian international and Indian Premier League star David Hussey has been confirmed as Team Rugby’s wildcard for the Hot Spring Spas T20 Christchurch Black Clash in association with Swisse at Hagley Oval on January 25.

After representing Australia in 69 One Day Internationals and 39 T20-Is between 2008 and 2013, the hard-hitting all-rounder established himself as one of the most sought after players on the global T20 circuit.

In 2012 Hussey attracted a bid of $US1.4million from the Kings XI Punjab, making him the highest priced Australian and second highest priced international player in the IPL behind Sri Lankan master blaster Mahela Jayawardene.

Hussey has a strong relationship with Team Cricket player-coach Stephen Fleming, having played for the Fleming coached IPL heavyweights Chenai Super Kings and captained Fleming Big Bash contenders the Melbourne Stars.

“As soon as Flem mentioned there might be a chance to play in the T20 Christchurch Black Clash I jumped at it,” Hussey said.

“It’s obviously a unique opportunity to play with a bunch of international rugby superstars who just happen to be very good cricketers.

“Obviously we’ll have our work cut out for us going up against Flem’s team of Black Caps legends but T20 is a game where anything can happen and we’ll be backing ourselves to pull off an upset,” Hussey said.

Team Rugby coach Sir Graham Henry said he was delighted to have added another key component to a side stacked with potential.

“David has a massive amount of international and T20 cricketing experience, which will be invaluable to us,” Sir Graham said.

“He’s exactly the sort of player we were after to round out our side. His presence will give us a real boost in both performance and belief.”

Hussey’s sparkling resume includes smashing the fastest ODI half century in Australian history – a 19 ball effort against the West Indies in 2008.

“David’s a class player who could easily still be playing today,” Fleming said.

“There’s a reason he was one of the most sought after players in the world just a couple of seasons ago. We will have to be right on our game to contain him, that’s for sure.”

The Hot Spring Spas T20 Christchurch Black Clash in association Swisse takes place at Hagley Oval on Friday January 25, starting at 4.00pm.

Team Rugby
Coach: Sir Graham Henry – first class wicket keeper, world cup winning coach
1 Kieran Read: (C) right hand bat, All Blacks captain, Swisse Ambassador
2 Richie McCaw: left arm seam, played a bit of rugby
3 Israel Dagg: right arm fast, All Blacks wing/fullback
4 Beauden Barrett: left hand bat, handy first five eighths
5 Jordie Barrett: Right arm fast, useful fullback
6 Aaron Smith: all rounder, chirpy halfback
7 Jason Spice: left arm orthodox, first class cricket and rugby player
8 Ali Williams: right hand bat, 77 tests for the All Blacks
9 Kendra Cocksedge: batting all rounder, Black Ferns vice captain
10 Kaylum Boshier: all rounder, Captain of NZU19 in cricket / Taranaki No. 8
11 Ofisa Tunu'u: wicket keeper/batsman
12 David Hussey

Team Cricket
1 Stephen Fleming (player coach)
2 Brendon McCullum (C)
3 Grant Elliott
4 Luke Ronchi (wk)
5 Kyle Mills
6 Chris Harris
7 Nathan Astle
8 James Franklin
9 Hamish Marshall
10 Liz Perry
11 Wildcard (TBA)
Manager/motivator: Scott Robertson

Tickets available via www.ticketdirect.co.nz
(service fees apply)
Adult $59
Concession $35
Kids $19
Family of 2 adults and 2 kids $140
http://blackclash.co.nz/

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