Just pick the best six batsmen, says Hussey

Mike Hussey has shot down the idea of selecting specialist Test batsmen for specific conditions in an effort to reverse Australia's poor record away from home.

Australia's batsmen have been outgunned by Sri Lanka's trio of spin bowlers in surrendering the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy, with the hosts leading 2-0 with the final match to be played in Colombo starting Saturday.

In the wake of the crushing 229-run defeat in the second Test last week which stretched Australia's winless streak in Asia to 10 Tests spanning five years, captain Steve Smith admitted there "might be need for some changes" to the way his side plans to tackle the subcontinent in the future, including drafting in batsmen with particular skills for the varying surfaces found around the world.

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Bupa Support Staff Head Coach Darren Lehmann and David Warner have both expressed agreement with Smith's thinking that conditions-specific batsmen could be an option, but Hussey is not a fan of the concept.

"I don't really buy in to that, to be honest," Hussey told The Unplayable Podcast.

"As selectors they pick the best six batsmen in the country to go out there and play in any conditions.

"I remember as player, if you were considered as one of the best six batsmen in Australia you wanted to be challenged in all the different conditions around the world.

"You wanted to go to England and first of all learn how to play in their conditions and then thrive.

"You wanted to go to India and learn and then thrive.

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"That's part and parcel of being an international batsman; you've got to go and play in different conditions and you've got to figure it out yourself and try to figure out how to have success.

"I'd be worried if we were picking the 10th or 15th-best batsman in the country just because he's perceived to be a good player of spin so we're going to get him into the Test team.

"I can tell you playing spin in Australia is lot different to playing spin in India and Sri Lanka."

Hussey is Australia's best batsman to have toured Sri Lanka, scoring two centuries and averaging 92.5 in his three Tests in 2011 – the last time an Australian team won a Test in Asia.

While Australia's top six has been dominated by the triumvirate of Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan, Hussey says there is more at stake for the touring batsmen than just winning the third Test.

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Australia return to the subcontinent in February 2017 for a four-Test series against India, a team they have conquered only once on foreign soil in 47 years.

With that tour now at the forefront of the national selectors' minds, Hussey would like to see the same batting group that has struggled in the first two Tests be given one more chance with an eye on India in six months' time.

"I personally would like to back the guys that are in there at the moment," Hussey said.

"I just think the experience of playing those first two Tests, the guys will be really determined to do well in the third Test.

"And they're building up their skills and their plans in playing in these conditions every single time they play.

"Obviously they're not doing the job that as well as everyone would like but every time they get in there their experience grows and their skill level will grow batting in those conditions."

However, Hussey knows a 2-1 series result looks a lot better than 3-0 to the visitors, and can see why Australia's selectors could make a change for the final Test.

"Having said that, it's a pretty results based business and you've got a high quality player in Shaun Marsh waiting in the wings to come in who's batting pretty well.

"It's a tough call … if push came to thrive I'd stick with what we've got but I'd be only one selector in that decision."