Australia on the attack

Mike Hussey's approach to his batting was dictated by circumstances of the game

Buy this photo

Mike Hussey confirmed Australia would play more aggressive cricket in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar series, but only if the situation required such an approach.

Australia, who trail 1-0 in the four-match series, need to win in order to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia let India off the hook in the first Test in Bangalore, which ended in a draw, before crashing to an embarrassing defeat in Mohali.

However, they bounced back strongly in the third Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, securing a draw after India had all but buried them under a massive first innings score of 613 for seven declared.

Australia have been ridiculed for their defensive play right through the series especially by India's Zaheer Khan and VVS Laxman as well as by their media at home.

Hussey, Australia's leading run-scorer in the series, said their approach had been dictated by the circumstances.

"I don't think we have been defensive," Hussey said. "It had all depended on the situation. In Bangalore, we tried to press for a win, but in Mohali it was different case as we were chasing a big score.

"In Delhi, we were again chasing a big total. We are not focusing on the result for now, but on the process.

"It was not such a flat wicket in Delhi and to chase 600 and come very close took a lot of perseverance. Ricky (Ponting) was very proud of our performance and it has given us lot of confidence (for the series decider).

"I'm sure if the situation warrants, we will play attacking cricket here.”

Hussey also believes that the visitors will be better equipped to handle the threat of India leg-spinner Amit Mishra.

Mishra caused Australia plenty of problems when he made his debut in Mohali, claiming seven wickets including five in the first innings, to help the hosts to victory.

And after showing signs of improvement against the young slow bowler in Delhi, Hussey believes the Australia batsmen are now more accustomed to his style.

Amit Mishra provided a new spin problem for Australia's much-vaunted batting line-up

Buy this photo

"It's always difficult when you face a bowler for the first time," Hussey said. "But we have got used to him after playing against him at Mohali and Delhi."

India were dealt a blow ahead of the match yesterday when their opener, Gautam Gambhir, had his appeal against a one-match ban thrown out by ICC code of conduct commissioner Justice Albie Sachs.

The left-handed batsman, who had cracked a double century in Delhi, was handed the ban after he elbowed all-rounder Shane Watson while running between the wickets.

In Gambhir’s place India have called up uncapped opener M Vijay and Hussey admitted the loss of Gambhir was a positive for the tourists.

"He's a very good player and probably someone who's exceeded our expectations," Hussey said.

India should, however, be boosted by the return of off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, Australia's greatest tormentor in the recent past, after he missed the third Test due to a toe injury.

"I'm fully fit," Harbhajan said. "It's a very important game for us. We all want to play top-class cricket and claim the series with a win here."

Harbhajan is just one wicket away from reaching 300 Test scalps on what looms as an historic match for the hosts.

Sourav Ganguly will play his last Test in a 12-year career while Laxman is due to bring up his century of matches.

Added to that Mahendra Singh Dhoni will officially captain the team for the first time following Anil Kumble’s retirement following the third Test.

Those impending landmarks have led some to suggest the Indians may be distracted during a match they must avoid defeat in to claim their first series win over Australia since 2001.

Ganguly has, however, played down such talk, saying: “It is just like any other game.

"I am taking it that way. For me, every Test is special. Everybody has to go at some time or the other. It is the team cause that comes first.”