Hussey wanted to prove he was fit for World Cup: report

Melbourne, Feb 21 (PTI) Australian batsman Michael Husseywas so upset by the selectors'' decision to drop him from WorldCup squad that he wanted to prove his fitness by playing in aSheffield Shield fixture yesterday only to be stopped byCricket Australia, a report claimed.

Hussey was dropped from the Australian World Cup squad ashe had a surgery a month back to repair the hamstring tendonthat ripped off his knee bone during Australia''s first ODIagainst England following the Ashes series.

He, however, had claimed that he would be fit by thesecond group match of the World Cup.

The right-handed batsman had a strong training sessionwith Western Australia and he was selected to play againstTasmania but had to be withdrawn when higher powers at CricketAustralia intervened, a report in ''Daily Telegraph'' said.

Had Hussey played for WA, it would have been a majorembarrassment for CA, the newspaper said.

The report also claimed that Greg Chappell met withHussey in Perth earlier this month and the national selectorhad told the latter that his days in international ranks werenumbered.

But Chappell denied that he had not told Hussey toconsider retirement.

"That''s untrue," Chappell said.

Chappell said there was nothing sinister in Hussey notplaying in the Sheffield Shield and the decision was takenafter discussion between CA medical staff and their WAcounterparts.

"In the nets yesterday he was pretty excited by the wayhe pulled up, but in discussions between Cricket Australiamedical staff and West Australian medical staff, they decidedit was probably imprudent to try and rush it," said the formerIndia coach.

"They decided to stick to the original plan -- try andplay some club cricket on the weekend and resume on March 3.

They jointly agreed to stick to that plan."

Chappell said it was "out of the question" that Husseycould re-join the Australian World Cup squad should a playersuffer an injury in India.

"Once he''s been withdrawn he can''t come in, even if it isto replace someone else," he said.