Mike Hussey safe for Ashes opener, says Greg Chappell

Australian batsman Mike Hussey’s position in the team is safe for the first Ashes Test but the pressure remains on him to perform, national selector Greg Chappell said on Tuesday.

Australia will name an extended squad on Monday ahead of the opening Test against old rivals England in Brisbane, which starts on November 25.

Chappell and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said the 54-Test campaigner deserved another chance.

“You discard experienced players and proven players very carefully,” Chappell said of the 35-year-old left-hander.

“I’d rather see that we gave them one chance too many than one chance too few. I don’t think we’re going to see wholesale changes going into the first Test match.”

Chappell said Hussey and Marcus North, who are both averaging under 40 this year, are aware that youngsters like Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson and Steve Smith are knocking on the door. I suppose there’s always pressure on you when you’re batting in a Test,” Chappell said.