Retiring Test batsman Michael Hussey signs autographs for fans after Australia's net session yesterday at the SCG. Picture: GETTY IMAGES
A cavalcade of Australian greats has farewelled Test cricket at the SCG, and Michael Hussey will be looking to follow in their footsteps and produce a match-winning performance.
Australian skipper Michael Clarke said farewelling "Mr Cricket" would be emotional for the team's young stars - and sending him out the right way was something the team had discussed.
"I think a lot of guys will be emotional that Mr Cricket's finishing up in Test match cricket after this game," Clarke said.
"He's played nearly 80 Test matches so he's been around for such a long time. He'll definitely be missed."
Clarke said there were no scars from the last mission to send a teammate out a winner - when Ricky Ponting's last Test turned into a 309-run defeat to South Africa.
"I don't think it had an impact on the team," Clarke said.
"It probably gave us more ammunition ... it's just unfortunate we got beaten by a better team.
"Our goal is the same as it was for Punter (Ponting). We want to make sure we send them out on a high. Hopefully, the result's a little bit different to what it was in Perth.
"But we'd love to see Michael Hussey go out with a win, and hopefully another Test match hundred for him."
Should Hussey be led off the SCG with a bagful of runs and another victory, he'll join an impressive list of Australian champions who said goodbye to Test cricket in Sydney.
Hussey requires just 34 runs to pass Ponting's Australian record for the most Test runs against Sri Lanka of 975 runs from 14 Tests.
