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The Ashes: Michael Hussey’s strong message for the Australian selectors

As a batsman, Michael Hussey was uncomplicated and precise.

And the 79-Test veteran is urging the national selectors to do the same when picking Australia’s team for the first Ashes clash in Brisbane later this month.

Australia’s choice of wicketkeeper in the Gabba opener has quickly become a source of national debate, with Peter Nevill, Matthew Wade and South Australia young gun Alex Carey all in the mix.

None of the trio furthered their claims for selection in the opening round of Sheffield Shield matches, but Wade is regarded as the outsider given his struggles with bat and gloves in 2017.

Hussey said he was taken aback at the call to axe Nevill at the beginning of last summer, but now wants to see the selection panel back their decision and keep the faith with Wade.

“When Nevill was dropped initially, I must admit I was a little surprised,” Hussey told The New Daily.

“But the selectors made that call and went with Matthew Wade – and I would prefer them to back him now.

“Show some faith, show some belief, give him [Wade] the opportunity in the Ashes series.

“And then if it doesn’t work out, then maybe look at it again.”

Hussey is confident Wade has improved behind the stumps and feels that the 29-year-old – who has a Test batting average of 28.58 – could be ready to hit form with the bat.

“It seems like he has really improved his keeping,” he said.

“Batting-wise he might not have made as [many runs as] everyone would have liked but maybe this is his series.”

Wade managed just one and six with the bat in the first round of the Sheffield Shield, but his rivals also failed to impress.

Nevill made 20 in his only hit, but dropped a regulation catch, while Carey made just 12 and four.

Two more Sheffield Shield fixtures remain before the Ashes opener, with the next round to begin on Saturday.

Players across the country are staking their claims for the spot at No.6 in the Australian batting order with the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head and Daniel Hughes all hopeful of winning selection.

Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis – considered more as all-rounders – are also in contention but Hussey has urged selectors to think about batting only when making the call.

“I would like whoever is the best batsman to bat at six,” he said.

“Whether that is an all-rounder, pure batsman or spin bowling all-rounder.

“We need to shore up our batting as much as we can. There are about four or five candidates there but I would go for the best batting option who will score the most runs.”

Despite the uncertainty around the No.6 batsman and the wicketkeeper, many experts believe the home nation will overpower the English, especially given that all-rounder Ben Stokes may not feature in the series at all.

Stokes is suspended “until further notice” after his alleged involvement in a street brawl in Bristol last month that left a man in hospital with injuries.

“England will be hoping he comes because he is a fine cricketer and they need him in the team,” Hussey said.

“One thing is for sure, if he is out here then the crowd are going to be getting really involved – but I’m sure that he is not going to take a backward step in his cricket.

“I think it will be a tough series. Australia are the favourites but there are lots of challenges along the way – the pressure of the Ashes, the expectations and one has to remember that there are plenty of guys in our team yet to experience it [Ashes cricket].”

Asked to predict the series winner and the score, Hussey still sided with Australia.

“Australia to win 3-1.”

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