Australia test cricketer Mike Hussey has announced he will retire from tests after next week's third match against Sri Lanka in Sydney and all international cricket at the end of the southern summer.
The 37-year-old Hussey has scored 19 centuries in 78 tests and averages 51.52.
Hussey's recent form has been strong and he's averaging 180.00 after two tests in the current series against Sri Lanka with scores of 115 not out, 31 not out and 34 in Hobart and Melbourne.
Hussey, nicknamed "Mr. Cricket" because of his career-long dedication to the game, said that with four children under eight, it's time to spend more time at home.
"The Sydney test against Sri Lanka will be my last test match for Australia and I'm going to retire from international cricket at the end of the Australian summer," Hussey said. "I was quite excited to tell them (children) that I'm not going to go away and play for Australia any more.
"They were happy but not as excited as I thought they were going to be. So it was a bit of a shock."
Hussey, who made his test debut at the age of 30, is Australia's 12th-leading run-scorer with 6,183 runs at 51.52.
His retirement follows the test departure last month of ex-skipper Ricky Ponting, Australia's all-time leading run-scorer.
Hussey says any test match is a stressful experience, but next week could be different.
"I feel like I can come into this last test match with no pressure whatsoever," he said. "I can just really go out there and enjoy it."
Cricket Australia said later in a statement that Hussey will play out the remainder of the 2012-13 Australian summer season, as well as be available for the Western Australia Warriors one-day side and the Twenty20 Perth Scorchers. He will review his availability for the Warriors and Scorchers at the end of the 2012-13 season.
"Michael Hussey has been a vital contributor to many Australian team wins over his very successful test cricket career," Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said.
"He has always been thoroughly committed to meticulous preparation and the highest levels of physical fitness which have in turn delivered consistent performances in all forms of the game."