No retirement signs from Hayden: Hussey

Australia batsman Michael HusseyMichael Hussey on Tuesday threw his weight behind beleaguered teammate Matthew HaydenMatthew Hayden and said the burly opener has not dropped any hint about a possible retirement any time soon.

Under pressure to justify his selection in the playing XI, Hayden battled his way to a laboured 39 in the second innings and when he departed after making his highest score this summer, the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground gave him a standing ovation, which seemed more of a farewell.

Hussey, however, didn't see any such hints and is confident that Hayden would continue even after the series against South Africa.

"He hasn't said anything to us and from my point of view I hope he keeps going," Hussey was quoted as saying by 'Herald Sun'.

"For me from what I see from inside the camp he's still very hungry to score runs and he's putting in the work off the field on the training track.

"I'm not seeing any signs that he wants to call it a day so I hope he continues," added Hussey.

Dwelling on the match, Hussey oozed confidence that they can clean up the remaining South African wickets before the Proteas knock down the remaining 314 runs for a whitewash.

"It's going to take all of us, like it did in the first innings. I know Peter Siddle got the rewards (in the first innings) and got the five wickets but it was a collective effort and I think all the guys bowled particularly well," Hussey said.

"It's going to take a good hard grind of all the bowlers bowling well in partnerships, being patient, being disciplined - the things that we always talk about in our meetings - and hopefully a few tricks from the pitch would be nice as well to get us a couple of wickets," he added