Hussey caught in heart and mind dilemma

MELBOURNE: Australian Michael Hussey is caught in a dilemma -- which team to play for in the inaugural Twenty20 Champions League -- but the Future Tours Programme (FTP) may come to his rescue.

His heart says Western Australia, the head the Chennai Super Kings, but the FTP may say Australia.

Hussey might be spared of the loyalty test, thanks to Australia's international commitments over the months of September and October when the 10-day Champions League is likely to be shceduled. 

Hussey's native Western Australia and Indian Premier League (IPL) side Chennai have both qualified for the $5 million eight-team event. Though IPL supremo Lalit Modi insisted Indian franchises would have the first choice of players for the Champions League, Hussey said his preference would be Western Australia.

"I am a Western Australia boy, through and through, born and bred, so if I am playing a competition I would probably prefer to play for Western Australia," Hussey was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday.

"But if the rules state that I'm playing for Chennai, then I'm very happy to play for them as well.

"My understanding was that we had to play for Western Australia if this situation arose. That's all I knew, so to hear something different seems a bit strange to me but obviously if that's the rule, that's the rule."

Hussey may be spared the agonising decision due to Australia's heavy touring schedule in September and October. Immediately after the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, Australia are due to cross the border for a four-Test series against India.