Former Australian Test cricketer Michael Hussey has advised the struggling Ashes squad to stay united despite their dual losses at Trent Bridge and Lord's, saying that their faith will be repaid given time.
According to the Courier Mail, even though Australia has lost the first two Tests, crashing to a tragic 347-run defeat in the second Test due to poor batting, Hussey, who averaged 51.52 over 79 Tests, again ruled out a Test comeback and instead confirmed that he would play for Big Bash League franchise Sydney Thunder this summer.
The report further said that since their last Test against Sri Lanka, in which Husssey also starred, Australia have lost six straight Test matches.
However, the creative left-hander refused to predict a gloomy forecast for Australia, insisting that Australia could bounce back if they stayed tight together and tried to get back in a positive frame of mind, although he added that they needed to identify a few things each, individually and collectively, of what they can improve.
Hussey, who is renowned for his positivity and enthusiasm, further said that he expected the pride of the players to provide the spark for better performances in the three remaining Tests, adding that people needed to show a lot of faith and belief in the squad, who will repay that over time.
According to Hussey, it takes time for a player to build up his experience, get into tough pressure situations and work his way through them, adding that the players needed to be exposed to such situations more and more to improve their skills.
Hussey also advised captain Michael Clarke to be in a positive frame of mind and eliminate all the distractions and peripheral issues, although he said that he believed that the increase in Twenty20 tournaments was having an effect on batsmen's ability to play lengthy Test innings.
Hussey backed new Australian coach Darren Lehmann to do a good job despite expressing his surprise at the sacking of his predecessor Mickey Arthur.
However, Hussey admitted that he was not missing the international stage, and added that he is glad to have escaped from the stress and tensions involved.
