Hussey fails again along with Test teammates

Embattled Australian Test batsman Mike Hussey's best case for an Ashes berth might be the lack of in-form alternatives after he was among a large number of incumbents and hopefuls to fail in matches around the country on Wednesday.

Hussey's duck for Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria in Melbourne continued his lean trot, putting himself under increasing pressure to retain his place in next week's Ashes opener against England at the Gabba.

But Hussey was far from alone on a day that would have buoyed England's confidence of winning an Ashes series in Australia for the first time in 24 years.

While Michael Clarke is resting with a back injury, the other five members of Australia's most recent Test top seven, plus wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, were all dismissed cheaply.

Simon Katich (1), Shane Watson (6), Ricky Ponting (7) and Marcus North (17) and Haddin (10) all failed to get in beneficial batting time in Shield matches in Melbourne and Sydney.

Compounding the concerns, the two batsmen next in line -- Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson -- also failed, playing for Australia A against a second-string England attack in Hobart.

The only members of Australia's 17-strong first Test squad who shone with the bat were young leg-spin all-rounder Steve Smith and left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson.

Smith made a sparkling 59 for Australia A, while Johnson belted an unbeaten 82 from 88 balls for Western Australia in Melbourne.

Hussey's scoreless 18-ball innings included a strong LBW appeal before all-rounder Andrew McDonald snared him.

Hussey has now made three, nought and nought in his last three innings for Western Australia.

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