Hussey remains positive

Michael Hussey does not feel Australia are under any extra pressure despite losing the first Test to South Africa in Perth. The batsman also believes the fact that Australia are facing a 1-0 deficit - the first time they have lost the opening Test at home since 1988 - could inspire a resurgence. Australia have not tasted defeat in a Test series on home soil since the West Indies prevailed 2-1 nearly 16 years ago, but Hussey struck a positive note as the teams head to Melbourne for the traditional Boxing Day clash.

"It's not nice to be one down but I think that will galvanise us a bit more and we have just got to come out and play a good brand of cricket," he said. "I don't think we can try harder. I don't think we should put more pressure on ourselves, we have just got to come out and play a good brand of Australian cricket. And I know if we can do that for long periods of time then we will be successful." Many individuals came under severe scrutiny for their performance in the six-wicket loss with Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Jason Krejza, Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden criticised. Of those five, only Krejza was omitted from the 13-man squad selected for the second Test with New South Wales player Nathan Hauritz and Tasmanian Ben Hilfenhaus picked after some strong performances for their state sides.

Hussey admitted: "Everyone needs to perform well. When you have two evenly-matched teams, you can't rely too much on one or two players to make all your runs and take all your wickets. "It's a case of everyone performing. The guys are preparing well and we just have to get out there and not think about what is going on too much." * With Agencies