Hussey admits pressure is on him to perform

Australian middle order batsman Michael Hussey has admitted there is pressure on his place in the Test team, but is confident of crossing a fine line between a reasonable and match-winning total in the fifth Test match at The Oval.

The tenacious middle-order batsman has experienced two substantially lean years compared to his emphatic arrival on the scene in 2005, and his Ashes form has been far below par.

Hussey's average in the four matches so far is 25.83, half that of his Test average (52.39).

He was in sparkling form in the tour match against England's second XI Lions at St Lawrence's Ground on Saturday, compiling an easy 65 from 101 balls.

Hussey played the back foot cut with aplomb and struck 10 boundaries in his two hours and 27 minute innings.

"I’m practicing well, I feel like I’m timing it well, but what happens is what happens out in the middle and unfortunately things haven’t gone as well as I would have liked for as long as I would have liked," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hussey, as saying.

"I've felt like I've contributed in some tough situations, but sometimes the difference between having a good series and an average series is turning 50 and 60 into 150,” he added.

"There’s pressure on everyone. Everyone feels pressure in Test match cricket, no matter whether you’ve been playing for 10 years or two games. Particularly in an Ashes series, and particularly coming into a very, very important fifth Test," Hussey said.