It was like he'd never been away for Michael Hussey as he slotted back into Australia's one-day side with a brisk 54 and Michael Clarke fell seven short of a hundred as Australia reached an imposing 324 for 6 against Kenya. Hussey and Clarke added 114 for the fifth wicket after the middle order suffered a small wobble against Kenya's spinners following Brad Haddin's workmanlike 65 which set a platform.
Although Clarke made the highest score it was Hussey's innings that was most significant as he returned from his serious hamstring injury with his brother, David, dropped to make space. He opened his account with a boundary off his first delivery and didn't drop below a run-a-ball. Although he'll face far tougher tasks than this Kenya unit, it was a more valuable innings than any net session could provide.
He was quick on his feet, gave the hamstring a good test with a few dives for the crease and his placement was as calculated as it always has been. The only time it let him down was when he picked out long-on during the batting Powerplay. Considering he'd only had two brief Sheffield Shield innings before coming to India it was remarkable how easy it looked even taking into account some friendly bowling.
Clarke, meanwhile, ticked over with minimal fuss after feeling his way in against the spinners on a surface that offered turn. His average in World Cup cricket is over 100 and the struggles of Australia's home season against England are now being put to the back of the mind. He regularly used his feet to chip down the pitch and drove sweetly through the off side on a ground that holds fond memories after his debut Test century in 2004.
After Hussey departed Clarke began to open up during the fielding restrictions and collected four boundaries in quick succession including a six over midwicket. He'd equalled his highest score in World Cup matches when he couldn't quite clear long-on to give the deserving Nehemiah Odhiambo his third wicket.
It has been an odd tournament so far for Australia with two facile victories against Zimbabwe and New Zealand followed by the rain-hit clash against Sri Lanka. Their form is hard to gauge and the lack of middle time for the batsmen could well have played a part in Ricky Ponting's decision to bat, although there were also signs the pitch may get slower and lower.
The openers were quickly out of the blocks with 31 runs in the first four overs as Shane Watson peppered the rope until he tried to cut Odhiambo and got a top edge to the keeper. Kenya asked for a review first ball against Ponting but the lbw was nowhere near and he was off the mark with a stylish swivel-pull.
However, Australia managed just 14 runs in seven overs before Ponting freed his arms to drive Elijah Otieno through point. Haddin was having particular trouble forcing the pace as he kept hitting the field and was fortunate when an edge flew past slip on 16, while he could have been run out on 25 when his bat got stuck in the adjacent pitch.
Steadily, though, the pair increased the scoring rate and Haddin brought up his fifty off 63 balls with a deft glide to third man only to pick out long-on attempting his second six. That began a good period for Kenya as Collins Obuya trapped Ponting lbw for a scratchy 36 after correctly opting to review the original not-out decision.
Cameron White, who retained his place ahead of David Hussey, continued his lean run when he was beaten by a ripping delivery from Jimmy Kamande to leave Australia on 143 for 4 and in need of some rebuilding. Clarke and Hussey did the job expertly.
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