Relaxed Hussey responds to the doubters with a solid 66

The ageing batsman,34, has endured an unimpressive stint in the longer form of the game and was facing criticism over his inclusion.

Michael Hussey is trying not to let questions over his future affect his batting and he took some of the pressure off himself with a battling 66 on the first day of the first Test against the West Indies in Brisbane. Hussey, 34, has found his place in the Test line-up queried by sections of the Australian media of late but played an important role in moving his side from 126 for two to 253 for three before chipping a catch to Suliman Benn.

Hussey has endured an unimpressive stint in the longer form of the game, but did score a century in his last Test appearance at the end of the Ashes and has fared well in one-day cricket. Speaking after Australia closed on 322 for five, with Simon Katich (92) and Ricky Ponting (55) also cracking half centuries, Hussey said: "I want to try to be as relaxed as possible and not put too much pressure on myself. I think when I'm playing my best, or when anyone's playing their best, it's when they're clam, relaxed and confident.

"Looking at my dismissals over the last year, there have been quite a few that have been a bit unlucky or maybe a bit out of my control, but the ones that I've stuffed up badly - I've been a bit tentative or trying a bit too hard." As for whether his knock would help ease the pressure, Hussey was unconcerned. "I haven't really thought about it to be honest," he said. * PA Sport