Hussey hoses down leadership talk

Michael Hussey insists he is not trying to gain Ricky Ponting's job despite his rapid elevation to the side's vice-captaincy for the short tour of Malaysia. Hussey started playing Test cricket barely a year ago and has been outstanding in both forms of the game while displaying impeccable leadership skills.

While Hussey enjoys skippering teams, he has no plans to take Ponting's position. "I want to make it clear I am not trying to become Australian captain or anything like that," Hussey said in the Daily Telegraph as the squad began its preparations for the tournament with India and West Indies. "I am 100% behind Ricky and Adam [Gilchrist] and I am not trying to promote myself as a leader."

The role will end when the Champions Trophy starts in India in October and Gilchrist, who is training at home while the team goes to Kuala Lumpur, rejoins the squad. "I'm just filling in but I am really honoured and will try and give Ricky as much support as I possibly can, and try and take some of the weight off his shoulders," he said. Australia's first game of the series is against West Indies on Tuesday.