Hussey gets his big chance

Langer, who broke a rib batting in the domestic competition at the weekend, was ruled out after failing a fitness test at the Gabba yesterday.

"It’s very painful, it feels like I’ve got barbed wire in my chest every time I run," Langer told reporters. I know I won’t be able to give 100 percent to this great team, so unfortunately I won’t be able to play."

Langer’s omission will allow Hussey to make his test debut after a long apprenticeship in First-Class cricket.

The left-hander has scored 15,313 First-Class runs in his career, more than any other player to make his debut for Australia, though the 30-year-old said he doubted yesterday that he would get the opportunity. "He (Langer) was batting fine and hitting the ball nicely. I was thinking "oh no, this wasn’t meant to happen," said Hussey.

"But at the end of his net he came over to me and said: "Look Huss, you’re in. "I don’t think I saw the first four or five balls in my net. It was a great feeling. You never lose hope. I guess I really feel like I’ve had to earn it ... and that’s why it’s such a great honour."

Langer said Hussey had earned the right to play Test cricket and was highly regarded by his new team-mates.

"He’ll have big respect from Haydos (fellow opener Matthew Hayden) and I’m sure they’ll form a good partnership for this one Test match," Langer said, emphasising the word "one".

Langer was ordered to rest as a precaution but is expected to be fit for the second and third Tests.