Hussey set to scale more peaks

If Michael Hussey was a mountain climber he would have spent years sprinting up lower-level peaks before getting a chance at Everest and reaching the summit without oxygen masks or sherpas. Hussey's opening season in Test cricket was so dizzying that he enters an era-defining campaign with a sportsman's form of vertigo.

Second-season syndrome might be ranked next to the Discworld's foaming sheep sickness among manufactured diseases, but if athletes don't swear by the affliction they are definitely aware of its dangers. Hussey was the master of most situations in 2005-06, finishing with career averages in the 70s for both Tests and one-day internationals, and the threat of slipping towards mortal status pushed him to form a guidebook for success.

"I have actually thought about it [the second-season blues] and I'm a little anxious about the summer," he said. "Last year went so well, better than I could have ever dreamed of, so it's natural that I think how can I back that up? How can I average 75 in Test cricket again?"

The plan involves following the same routine to prepare for each innings, which is a regime he has perfected through the past five years of dominance in England, Australia and with the national team. "I know and I trust it," he said during the squad's camp at Coolum. "If I stick to my plan and stick to my processes, maybe I won't go as well, maybe I'll go better, but I know in my heart that hopefully I can be pretty consistent and have strong performances."

Hussey's second full international campaign begins as vice-captain in place of Adam Gilchrist for the Champions Trophy warm-up in Malaysia in two weeks. The ascent to the team's leadership ranks has been almost as swift as his batting rise. Hussey is comfortable in charge and holds leadership ambitions, but is not in a hurry to accept full-time authority.

After his first off-season in five years Hussey's priority is releasing the nervous energy of the winter by playing. A compulsive trainer, he has been running, netting and shadow batting and is "sick of all the preparation". "I'm not used to having such a long break," he said, "and I'm craving cricket and time in the middle."

Reading Steve Waugh's autobiography has helped fill in some of his recent spare time, but most has been devoted to his wife and two young children. "The kids were a bit sick in the winter and I really wanted a cricket tour when I was getting two hours' sleep a night," he said as he chuckled. He is about to get his wish.

The Champions Trophy starts in October, the Ashes in November and then there is a rash of one-day matches before the World Cup concludes in April. With plenty of spaces for pitfalls, Hussey is ready if he slips off the path. "The game does have a great way of bringing you back down to earth," he said. "I am prepared if things don't go according to plan."

He is also willing to trade his mountainous figures for those of a regular batsman if it means securing team success. "I would be happy if I averaged 45 and Australia won the Ashes, the Champions Trophy, the World Cup and every other tournament we set our minds to," he said. "Actually, I'd be happy averaging 35 if we did that."