Australia batsman Mike Hussey has lost track of the number of times he’s toured India, and believes his experience there, and that of his teammates, will be vital in the upcoming Test series, and next year’s World Cup.
Hussey first travelled to India in 1994 as a member of Australia’s under-19 team, but he’s been back “15 or 20” times since - “I can’t remember how many times” - both on international duty and to play in the Indian Premier League.
The 35-year-old said that such experience will prove beneficial when Australia defends its World Cup title next year, across India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Prior to that, Australia will tour India in October for a two-Test series and three one-dayers.
“India is the hardest place to tour, the conditions are so different to what we are used to,” Hussey said.
“You can easily feel ‘all at sea’ in the conditions. But we have played quite a bit in India, so we can call on past experiences.”
Australia’s tour of India will precede a Sri Lanka series and then the most-anticipated series of the year - the Ashes against England in Australia.
“I have a very good feeling about the Ashes this time,” Hussey said. “A lot of the legends have left our team, and we have been slowly building. We have a good base of fast bowling stocks, and we certainly have the pain of losing the last time.”
Normally a tour of India would be regarded as less than ideal preparation for a home Ashes series, as pitches and conditions in the two countries are so different. But Hussey feels this time that it could be beneficial.
“It’s good preparation for facing Graeme Swann,” Hussey said. “They use reverse swing over there (India), something that England is trying to perfect.”
Before facing Swann and the English, Australia will have to contend with an ever-improving India.
“They have a wonderful team in both forms of the game, and that is reflected in the rankings (No. 1 in Test, No. 2 in ODI),” he said.
“They have a great blend of experienced players and very good youngsters coming through as well. We are expecting very, very tough competition. And at the World Cup, they are going to have to be one of the favourites as well.”
