Kochi vs. Chennai: Brendon McCullum vs. Michael Hussey – Batting Analysis
Kochi Tuskers Kerala team and Chennai Super Kings team will confront each other at the Nehru Stadium, Kochi, in the fourth edition of the DLF Indian Premier League on 18 April.
IPL debutants, the Kochi Tuskers Kerala, has a very good batting line-up with a number of match-winners. The Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand also has players who can change the game with their aggressive intent.
Bettor.com presents a comparative analysis of two world-class batsmen from both sides. Amongst the Tuskers, we have Kiwi wicket-keeper batsman Brendon McCullum and Mr. Cricket, Michael Hussey is the pick of the Super Kings batsmen.
The Kochi Tuskers Kerala’s destructive batsman: Brendon McCullum
New Zealand cricketer, Brendon McCullum, has the ability to carry the team’s innings with his powerful shots. With his stylish batting drives and full-length dives behind the stumps, McCullum is one of the competitive players around in the world today.
Earlier, the Kiwi was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders, but this time McCullum is playing for the Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
There are few players in the cricket world who play the scoop shot, as effectively as McCullum executes it.
McCullum, in his IPL debut in 2008, showed his potency by hammering 158 runs from just 73 balls in the T20 format of game, setting a gigantic world record against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Bangalore.
The right-handed batsman scored 188 runs in four games. In the 2009 edition of the IPL, he was the eighteenth highest scorer of the tournament, with 285 runs in 13 matches. McCullum has played 25 IPL matches and scored 713 runs, setting his average at 32.20.
The Kiwi opener made his T20 International debut against Australia at Auckland, in 2005. He has featured in forty T20 matches and scored 1100 runs, including a highest score of 116 runs. Averaging at 33.33, he has hit six fifties and one classic century
in this format of the game.
The Chennai Super Kings’ batsman: Michael Hussey
Michael Hussey, a left-hand batsman has proved to be a phenomenal example for all the cricketers, with his quick shot selections. Hussey loves to play drives on the off-side brutally, often in-elegantly, but always effectively.
Mr. Cricket, from 2008 to 2011 has played 12 matches and scored 420 runs, at an average of 60.00. The Aussie has hit three half-centuries in the IPL, with a highest score of 116 runs.
In T20 International cricket, Hussey has featured in 27 matches and scored 457 runs. He made his debut against New Zealand at Auckland in 2005.
After three games, the Kochi Tuskers Kerala team has lost two encounters. The side’s opponents, the Chennai Super Kings team has won two matches out of three in this IPL edition.
It is evident that both batsmen hold the capability to change the course of any game, at any point of time. McCullum is more aggressive in his approach as compared to Hussey. However, Hussey’s strength cannot be ignored as he has single-handedly seen his
side to victory, on a number of occasions.