Australia's Mike Hussey is putting his hand up for the West Indies tour in March and says he has given no thought to retiring from international cricket.
The middle-order batsman is averaging 84.33 in the series against India which concludes with the fourth Test starting in Adelaide on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old feels he has a big role to play in helping fourth-ranked Australia get back to the top in Test cricket and says he has always been brought up on the philosophy young players need to earn the right to play for Australia.
The Adelaide match marks the end of Australia's Test summer at home, with Twenty20 matches against India and a one-day series against India and Sri Lanka to follow before a full tour of the Caribbean.
"I'm looking forward to this Test match. I haven't looked beyond that at all at this stage," Hussey said on Sunday.
"I've just really tried to set myself for this series. But my body feels good and I still feel like I'm playing well.
"I still feel mentally wanting to turn up for training and mentally keen for the battle out in the middle so from that point of view, I'm definitely thinking of continuing on.
"I'd love to go to the West Indies.
"The culture I was always brought up in is the next generation have to earn their right to play for Australia.
"It took me over 10 years of first-class cricket just to get one game for Australia so I certainly don't feel the responsibility to pass the baton on.
"I still feel like I've got a big role to play in the team with experience to help some of the younger members of the team.
"Plus I still feel like I can contribute to Australia working their way back to where we want to be which is the number one team in the world."
Hussey said he had seen no signs from Ricky Ponting (263 runs at 65.75 in the Indian series) and wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin (33 runs at 11.00) that they were contemplating retirement.
Hussey says the appointment of former South Africa mentor Mickey Arthur in November has rejuvenated the Australians.
Hussey said taking a 3-0 lead over India meant a huge difference in the morale within the change rooms after last summer's 3-1 Ashes defeat.
"For a while there everyone did get a little bit insular. It was a bit quieter, probably a bit more intense," Hussey said.
"Now the new coach has stepped in, the new selectors have stepped in, the communication has been really good.
"Everyone knows where they stand, they know what their roles are and they know where they want to take the team in the future.
"That gives everyone a lot of heart and a lot of confidence. You can relax again and be yourself and you can really see the characters coming out in all the team."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia First posted January 22, 2012 13:53:39
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