David eyes T20 stepping stone on comeback trail

One Hussey brother has already safeguarded his international cricket future this summer. Now the other will be granted another chance to revive his own flagging career when Australia meet England in the first of Twenty20 internationals at Old Trafford this evening. All was well in the Hussey household when the Australian team arrived in the UAE to play Pakistan four months ago. Eldest brother Michael, 34, was so firmly entrenched in the national team that he was spared the trip to the Middle East, and told to be ready afresh for the Ashes.

David Hussey, two years his junior, was plotting his own path into the Test team, and was already an established part of the limited-overs set-up. Their fortunes have waned since. A lean spell with the bat meant Michael's place was in doubt, until a doughty century in the final Test earned him a reprieve. David, meanwhile, was dropped from Australia's 50-over side for matches against England, as well as the subsequent Champions Trophy in South Africa.

However, he is already on the comeback trail after posting a maiden one-day international ton against Scotland, in readiness for tonight's game. And he does not want to stop at the one-day arena. "I definitely want to play Test cricket, so hopefully I'm not being pigeon-holed," said David. "Playing in Twenty20 is another chance to impress and another chance to win games of cricket for Australia. That stands you in good stead for one-day international and Test cricket.

"It is a stepping stone for me. Hopefully if you do well you can transform that form into one-day international and that form into Test cricket." His 20-over credentials were emphasised when he became one of the costliest players in the first Indian Premier League auction - fetching a fee, US$625,000 (Dh2.3m), far greater than his more celebrated elder brother when he was signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

"It [his IPL price-tag] probably brought more pressure than confidence," he added. "Everyone focused on the fee, but for me it was all about playing cricket. "[Michael] provides more motivation and inspiration. I want to compete with him and outdo him as brothers want to do." [e-mail]