Why Hussey has Australia as “firm favourites” for the first Test against India

Aussie cricket great Mike Hussey has the home side as firm favourites for the first Test against India in Perth starting on Friday.

As well as being the home side, Hussey thinks that Australia has more going for them with India heading into the five-Test campaign on the back of a 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand.

On top of their lack of form, Hussey is worried about the visitors being without all of Rohit Sharma (personal reasons), Shubman Gill (injury) and Mohammed Shami (injury) for the series-opening Test.

“Definitely India (have more question marks on them),” Hussey told SEN Afternoons.

“There’s no Rohit Sharma for the first Test match he and his wife have just had their second child.

“They've had some injuries with Shubman Gill breaking a hand, Mohammed Shami hasn't turned up in Australia and we’re not sure whether he comes or not.

“There might be a few new faces in that Indian team, which could be a massive challenge for them because they wouldn't have played in Australian conditions before.

“With the pace and bounce we've got in our pitches, that’ll be a massive adjustment for them.

“So, I think Australia are firm favourites, particularly for the first Test.”

Hussey believes that the biggest question facing Australia is how new opener Nathan McSweeney will fare at the top of the order.

Given McSweeney bats at number three for South Australia, Hussey thinks that the biggest adjustment facing the 25-year-old is how to mentally prepare for opening after changes to his normal routine will be forced onto him.

“It's going to be a massive challenge for him,” Hussey said.

“I think he's got the game and the temperament to be able to handle opening the batting.

“But the main adjustment for him will be more the mental side of the game.

“As an opening batsman, you might have been in the field for 100 overs and then you've got 10 minutes to get the pads on and get straight back out there again.

“Whereas in his preferred position of batting number three or four, he'd been able to come off, have a shower and mentally sort of just refresh a little bit.

“Making those routine adjustments is going to be the biggest challenge for him, and you know they're asking him to step up and play a role that he hasn't really played in his career against a very, very good bowling attack.

“It'll be a massive challenge, but I hope he can get off to a good start.”

The first ball is set for 1:20 pm (AEDT) on Friday, listen to every ball LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.