Mike Hussey has described the WACA wicket as a 'battle' to bat on after day one of the third Ashes Test in Perth, but believes the pitch will become more batter-friendly with time.
Australia was dismissed for a paltry 244 after winning the toss and electing to bat, with England also struggling on the pitch and finishing day one precariously-placed at 51-2.
Hussey was at his resolute best on the way to an unbeaten 74, but even he was made to work hard for runs, patiently batting his way through 161 deliveries in more than four hours at the crease.
"I thought there was plenty of moisture in the wicket in the first session, but then as it dried out it probably wasn't as challenging ... it slowly got better and better as the day went on," Hussey said.
"It was a little bit two-paced. There was some grassy patches and then some bare patches, so off the grassy patches there was certainly a little more bounce, and a couple gripped in to the pitch as well."
"So it made our stroke play hard to get any rhythm with. I just couldn't find any rhythm, just didn't really feel in on the pitch at all."
Monty Panesar made the most of the conditions and was the chief destroyer with the ball, claiming 5-92 in a performance that has vindicated his inclusion in England's Test squad.
"He bowled well, there's no question about that. He certainly got the rewards today," Hussey said of Panesar.
"He bowls with a lot of discipline for a young spinner, which is a pretty tough art. He's got a good knowledge of his game and understands that discipline is a big part for a spinner, and I thought he was pretty patient and bowled pretty well.
"Hopefully we will play him better in the second innings and he won't have such an effect."
Although Hussey has been a dominant force so far in the Ashes series, he is yet to register a ton. The 31-year-old had scores of 86, 91 and 61 not out before the Perth Test, but said it was the team's performance that mattered most.
"It would have been nice to get to three figures, but it's been nice to really contribute in a positive way to the team. The good thing is I've been able to contribute and we've won two Test matches," he said.
"That's the most important thing in my mind. I want to score runs but I don't really mind how many I get as long as we're playing well as a team and we are winning Test matches."
