India our toughest opponent: Hussey

ADELAIDE: India have proved themselves in different conditions and they are the biggest thorn in the flesh for Ricky Ponting and his team, believes Australia's middle order batsman Mike Hussey.

"India is right up there. They have proved themselves abroad, at home, in all conditions," said Hussey, after the hosts arrived here for the final Test starting on Thursday.

"Some very tough cricket has been played in this series and they have my highest regards," Hussey said.

India were minutes away from saving the acrimonious Sydney Test before they eventually collapsed as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
   
But the spirited visitors bounced back in Perth, scripting a stunning victory to reduce the margin and make it 2-1.

Australia arrived here, stung by their defeat at the hands of the Indians while seeking their 17th straight win, as well as their perceived inability to play swing bowling.

"They used the conditions very well in Perth. I don't think it's going to swing as much in Adelaide," Hussey said.

"Having said that, they are obviously a very fine bowling unit, very balanced be it a matter of swing, seam or spin."
   
Hussey didn't believe his side made the mistake of taking the Indian pace attack lightly, given their inexperience and that they were not the first choice of the visitors in the series.

"Any bowler who bowls at this level ought to be a good bowler. We don't make the mistake of treating anyone lightly."

"We prepare very well against all opponents and with India it was no different at Perth," Hussey said.

Hussey was forthright in his assessment of his team's downfall at Perth, blaming the batsmen for the first innings flop show and their poor shot selection.

"Our shot selection wasn't very good. I personally was very disappointed at the shot I played in the first innings at a wide swinging delivery. In the second innings, I tried to play with discipline and caution and somewhat redeemed my approach of first knock."
   
Hussey was at the non-striker's end when he saw Ishant Sharma bowl that splendid spell to Ricky Ponting on the fourth morning.
   
"He obviously is a very fine bowler, disciplined and aggressive. There was a certain uneven bounce on the off-stump and he obviously was bowling a lot better to right-handers than left-handers. In that over, who knows if I was on strike, he might not have got that extra over.

"These are a few little things which can decide the course of a match," he said.

Hussey denied that his side would struggle to come to terms with the defeat of WACA in time for the final game.

"Losing is a part of sport. I made 145 not out in Sydney and then was out for a duck in the first knock in Perth. Sports can be like that sometimes.

"We would have no trouble in coming to terms with the Perth defeat. It's not the end of the world. The boys are pretty determined to put that all behind in Adelaide," he said.