We can't replace Hussey, admits Clarke

6 Jan 2013, 6:52 pm   -   Source: AAP
Australia have lost the early wicket of Dave Warner in their chase of 141 for victory at the SCG. (AAP)

Australia have lost the early wicket of Dave Warner in their chase of 141 for victory at the SCG. (AAP)

Mike Hussey brought down the curtain on a brilliant Test career with his 27 not out helping secure Australia a 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka.

Australia's Test cricket team has lost its security blanket ahead of a gruelling 12 months, with Michael Hussey bringing down the curtain on a magnificent career with yet another match-winning knock.

Described by captain Michael Clarke as irreplaceable, Hussey scored an unbeaten 27 as the hosts chased down a 141-run victory target with five wickets in hand at the SCG on Sunday - the win securing a 3-0 series whitewash of Sri Lanka.

While the men anointed to take Australian cricket forward failed, Hussey showed a trademark cool head - the fairytale finish highlighting the enormity of the task to replace him.

That starts immediately with a tough tour of India in February, followed by back-to-back Ashes series.

Clarke, who scored 29, likened the loss of Hussey to that of Australia's greatest ever runscorer - Ricky Ponting - earlier this summer.

"Firstly, I don't think someone will be able to come in and replace him," Clarke said of Hussey.

"He hasn't played as many Tests as Ricky Ponting but for the time he's been here he's been unbelievable like Punter was his whole career.

"He's won a lot of games for Australia. That's probably the one thing that I'll remember most about Huss.

"It's not his statistics, it's the way he plays the game, it's what he gives to the team.

"We'll never be able to replace him but what it does do is present an opportunity to somebody else."

The first challenge is the four-Test tour of India, where the wickets will be dustier than the fourth-day strip at the SCG.

Sri Lankan spinners took four of the five Australian wickets to fall on Sunday, with spearhead Rangana Herath taking 3-46, including those of Phil Hughes (34), Ed Cowan (36) and first innings century-maker Matthew Wade (8).

"The subcontinent is generally very tough to play spin bowling (but) I think we're improving," Clarke said.

"In a couple of months time we're going to be faced with conditions that do spin a lot. There's no better place to get better than in the subcontinent."

Hussey insisted he had no qualms about Mitchell Johnson (1no) hitting the winning runs, saying he was embarrassed by the fanfare afforded him by the Sydney crowd.

When Cowan and Clarke piled on a 59-run third-wicket partnership that drew Australia closer to their winning target, the crowd began chanting Hussey's name.

But what may have seemed disrespectful to the pair in the middle was merely a sign of how much Hussey will be missed.

Meanwhile, the always modest Hussey wanted to get on the loudspeaker to quieten everyone down.

"The crowd was starting to get a bit vocal and I was going to make sure (Clarke and Cowan) tried to finish the job as well," Hussey said.

"... I was sitting next to (coach) Mickey Arthur telling him we need to get on the loudspeaker and telling them all to be quiet."

Mahela Jayawardene, who stood down from the Sri Lankan captaincy after the series, said Australia could be in for a tough 12 months.

"India is always going to be a tough place for anyone to go and play cricket," he said.

"When you don't have the experience it's always going to be tough.

"Ashes is always going to be tough whether it's home or away. It will be a good test for the entire group I think."

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