Hussey backs Geeves to shine

Brett Geeves has replaced Brett Lee in Australia's ODI squad to face Bangladesh

Mike Hussey is confident Australia new boy Brett Geeves can make the most of the opportunity presented to him by Brett Lee’s absence in the upcoming Commonwealth Bank Series against Bangladesh in Darwin.

Geeves has been called into the Australia squad to replace Lee, who has taken time off to deal with issues in his personal life.

While the loss of Lee is a blow for the hosts, the 31-year-old’s absence gives Geeves an opportunity to show what he can do.

"It's great for Brett Geeves," said Hussey. "He's really performed well for Tasmania in the past couple of years, particularly in one-day cricket.

"He really deserves his chance. I don't know him that well, so I'm looking forward to that."

Geeves has impressed Hussey when the two have played against each other at state level and the Western Australian expects the big Tasmanian to do well if he is called upon in the three-match series which starts on Saturday August 30.

"He's a very aggressive bowler, a strong bustling bowler," said Hussey. "He can swing the new ball and get the old ball to reverse a little bit.

"Generally, he hits the pitch very hard. He's very disciplined and he's also a very handy lower-order hitter as well. He's got some good assets to bring to our team."

Australia have played without Lee in key matches before, including the 2007 World Cup which the paceman missed with an ankle injury.

"We played the whole World Cup without Brett and that was a big loss, but it gave Shaun Tait an opportunity to stamp his name on the world scene," Hussey recalled.

"Not having Brett there does give someone else an opportunity to really put their hand up and show that they can perform at the highest level.

Mike Hussey believes Geeves is an ample replacment for Lee who is taking time out

"Having said that, Brett's our spearhead and we want him back as quickly as possibly."

Tait had been tagged as Lee's heir apparent before taking time off cricket during last summer. Hussey said the team had been keeping in touch with the Redbacks speed machine and that he was well on the comeback trail.

"Tait's in good spirits. I believe he's been training with the South Australian team, and again we're hoping he can come back as quickly as possible," he said.

Meanwhile, Hussey warned that despite the fact Australia are ranked as the world number one team in ODIs and Bangladesh number nine, it will be a tough series.

"This Bangladesh series is going to be a little bit rusty, we've had a little bit of time off," he said. "It's going to be very important that we use this Bangladesh series very well.

"They've really improved a lot. They've got an Australian coach in Jamie Siddons. So they will know us pretty well.

"The guys are going to be very keen. We haven't played for a while now. It's been a good break since the West Indies. All the guys are jumping out of their skin and can't wait to get stuck into it."