Stars captain yet to make a call on his future in the KFC Big Bash League as glamour club again falls short
'Emotional' Hussey’s future uncertain
Melbourne Stars skipper David Hussey has vowed his team will come back bigger and better next BBL season, but he's not sure if he'll be there to help end the franchise's title drought.
The Stars' hopes of winning their maiden BBL crown came to a grinding halt on Tuesday when they suffered a seven-wicket loss to the Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground.
Quick Single: Big guns deliver Perth a home final
It was the fifth time in six seasons the Stars have been beaten in a semi-final.
Hussey will be 40 by the time next summer's BBL begins.
The right-hander averaged just 17 with the bat this season, but his experience was invaluable.
Hussey said he would let the dust settle before making a decision on his future.
"I'm a bit raw at the moment. A bit emotional. Let's wait and see what happens," Hussey said after the loss to Perth.
"There's a lot of water to go under the bridge.
"Speaking to a few of the boys, we're making a few pacts together to come back bigger and better next season. We'll just have to wait and see."
However, Stars import Kevin Pietersen – via Instagram – said Hussey had played his “final game”.
“To the special David Hussey who is in this pic. I'm so happy I got play in your final game!” Pietersen wrote.
"You have been absolutely sensational on and off the field continuing on from our Notts days! Love ya buddy!”
One person who will definitely be coming back is Pietersen, who is contracted for next season.
Pietersen enjoyed a solid season for the Stars, producing two half-centuries and an unbeaten 44 during a recent purple patch.
Quick Single: Boof launches at KP
But he failed to fire in the semi-final, scoring just five before becoming one of Mitchell Johnson's three victims.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann launched a scathing attack on Pietersen, advising the Stars they should remove him from their playing roster next season and suggesting he’s overpaid.
Lehmann posted his strong comments during the latter stages of the Stars’ loss to the Scorchers, tagging prolific social media user Pietersen’s official Twitter handle to ensure he would see it.
Lehmann also said he didn’t “want to listen to his excuses anymore”, a criticism likely in reference to Pietersen slamming an umpiring decision while mic'd up for BBL broadcasters Channel 10.
@KP24 @tensporttv @BBL time for stars to move KP on ,spent to much money on him and didn't win. Don't want to listen to his excuses anymore.
%E2%80%94 Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) January 24, 2017
But Hussey said Pietersen would be a valuable asset next season.
"He's part of the fabric of the Stars," Hussey said.
"He's been fantastic. Not only with his runs, but he also provides a lot of insight and experience for the rest of the players.
"He provides a swagger for us and he's just a good all round person."