Intro:

Mike Hussey says his Australia team-mates are excited by the challenge of facing Pakistan in a one-day series in the UAE.

Script:

Australia have been gearing up for the first match in their one-day series with Pakistan on Monday in the UAE.

After an embarrassing series defeat in England last time out the Baggy Greens are eager to put things right on the sub-continent.

Mike Hussey missed the tour of England but says he is delighted to be back and believes the team are relishing the challenge of facing Pakistan.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mike Hussey, Australian batsman:

"I think the guys are really looking forward to this challenge. We've played really well in sub-continental conditions in the past few years. I think looking back we've won in places like India before. I think the last time we came here we beat Pakistan in a one day series as well. So we look forward to playing in the sub-continent these conditions are very oppressive but, you know, for those that were up in Darwin and saw our fitness testing, that the guys are in pretty good shape and although the testing wasn't done in very hot, humid conditions, it was, it did sort of show the guys are in very good shape and we're very determined. The guys have a real sting in their tail after losing in England and we want to put in a very good performance."

Due to the conditions there has been talk of moving Hussey up the order, an idea the 37-year-old says he is open to trying.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mike Hussey, Australian batsman:

"Well I'm open to it, it doesn't bother me. I think whatever the team really needs I'd be more than happy to try and help out. As long as I'm somewhere in that batting order it doesn't really bother me where. I'm happy to bat anywhere, from one down to eleven, I'd prefer to be a little bit higher than sort of eleven."

Australia will contest three one-day matches with Pakistan, followed by three Twenty20 internationals ahead of the T20 World Cup.