Image courtesy of: SuperSport

Hussey acknowledged that Australia are still going through a transition phase

Retired Australia batsman Michael Hussey has conceded that it does hurt to watch the national team get battered and pulverised by England in the Ashes as he remembered how Australia used to dish out the same punishment back in the good old days.

Australia were beaten by a narrow margin of 14 runs during the first Test at Trent Bridge before being absolutely thrashed in the second Test at Lord’s, where they lost by a huge margin of 347 runs.

“I feel for the guys,” Hussey said. “I’ve certainly been in that situation as well where we haven’t been playing that well and losing games, and it’s a horrible feeling in the dressing room.

“I’ve been in touch with a few of the guys through text messaging. I know they’re very proud to be wearing the baggy green cap and I’m sure we’ll see a revival in the last few Test matches.”

Hussey, who announced his retirement in January this year, believes newly appointed coach Darren Lehmann will work wonders with the team, despite it not showing in the first two Tests.

“They’ve got seasoned, hardened players who’ve been there and done it for a long period of time and know what they have to do,” Hussey said. “And they’re prepared to be patient and disciplined for long, long periods of time.”

The 38-year-old added that the national selectors have to be patient and show faith in the current squad as they are still rebuilding from the losses of himself and former skipper Ricky Ponting.

“It’s never easy to get in the Australian team,” Hussey said. “They’re all very fine players.

“We need to show faith in these guys and keep believing in them.”

Hussey also called on Lehmann not to pressurise the players too much and let them play the way they feel most comfortable.

“That gives you a chance of playing your best cricket, when you’re relaxed and not having all these thoughts and doubts and stresses and pressures on your mind,” he said.

Former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman and Hussey’s long-time team-mate Adam Gilchrist agreed with the 38-year-old’s assessment of the team, but added they are in desperate need of a confidence boost.

“I think the guys are down and out after the previous Test match,” Gilchrist told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “But I do think Darren Lehmann in charge will help bring that group together. I think Darren de-stresses players.

“They’ve just got to get into this next Test match.”