Herath is a gun and definitely a huge threat: Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey, the hero for Australia during their last tour of Sri Lanka in 2011, feels that Australia’s strength is “the balance and quality in all departments.”

In an interview with the Australian newspaper Herald Sun, he also pointed out that Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath will be a threat, however, Australia’s success lies in the depth of their squad, Australian batting legend Mike Hussey has said.

Hussey added that Nathan Lyon, who made his debut when Australia last toured Sri Lanka, and Steve O’Keefe are both quality spinners, while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood form the strength in their pace bowling attack.

Hussey has fond memories of the tour and says he is looking to Steve Smith and David Warner to lead the charge with the bat for the tourists this time around.

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“I found batting in the sub-continent was a real grind,” he said. “Batsmen had to be prepared to bat long periods of time and show discipline and patience to score big runs.”

Veteran Sri Lankan spinner Herath is a “huge threat” and Australia should bat positively against him, Hussey said.

“Herath is a gun and definitely a huge threat,” Hussey said. “He is so disciplined and bowls long spells, keeping the pressure on at one end pretty much all day.” Hussey said.

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“Each batsman will play him slightly differently but it will be important for each batsman to have a clear plan against him, not just to survive but to rotate the strike and score off him as well.

“If he gets you pinned down at one end and you can’t get off strike, the pressure builds and invariably he gets his man.”

The tour opens with the first Test of the three-match series in Pallekele on July 26.