David Hussey (picture above, courtesy: www.prahrancc.com.au)

Calcutta: Australian cricketer David Hussey has said that he is both surprised and embarrassed by his $625,000 purchase by the IPL side, Team Calcutta.

Hussey, who clubbed the second-fastest one-day century in Australian cricket on Wednesday — a 60-ball hundred for Victoria against New South Wales at the SCG — said he initially thought the price was a joke.

“It was indescribable,” the batsman was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun on Thursday. “I got told and then sat and said ‘Are you taking the mickey out of me?’ They said it was genuine… it’s just remarkable. It’s very flattering.”

Calcutta rated Hussey worth a lot more than Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who the side also picked up, and also higher than even leg-spin legend Shane Warne.

But Hussey said the best part was a text message from older brother Mike, an established Test star for Australia, who will be paid $350,000 to be part of the IPL.

“He sent me a text message and said, ‘I can’t believe you’re worth almost double of what I am,’” Hussey laughed.