Humble Mike Hussey sings the praises of Nathan Lyon

MICHAEL Hussey revealed it was Nathan Lyon's character that swayed him to hand over the hallowed duties of leading the team song.

MICHAEL Hussey revealed it was Nathan Lyon's character that swayed him to hand over the hallowed duties of leading the team song to the spinner who has played 19 Tests.

Lyon follows some of the most esteemed names in Australian cricket history in taking up the honour, held in descending order by Hussey, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Ian Healy, David Boon, Allan Border and Rod Marsh.

Hussey and Lyon led the song together yesterday at the SCG after Australia's five-wicket victory sealed a 3-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka, but the 25-year-old will be the sole custodian of the responsibility from next month's tour of India.

"I picked Nathan because I think he is a man of great character, he plays the game for the right reasons, I think he understands and respects the fabric of the baggy green cap, and that's what I want to come through from him when he leads the team songs in the future," Hussey said.

"Not to say that the other guys don't, but I just think he is a man of great character. The people before me certainly have had great character and so I wanted to look for those set of traits in the next song master."

Lyon, a former Adelaide Oval curator who worked on the ground as England sang their team song after thumping Australia in 2010, will be hoping to return serve in the back-to-back Ashes series starting in July and finishing at the SCG this time next year.

The only songs Hussey now plans to be leading are nursery rhymes for his children.

"In a way I'm quite relieved that it's over now, the stress, the pressure. Now I can just relax away from the game," said the 37-year-old father-of-four. "I don't have that sick feeling in my stomach before every game or before I bat.

"I feel like the pressure's off and I feel very proud to be able to finish here in Australia and at the SCG."

Hussey was genuinely uncomfortable with the raucous support he received at the SCG this week, including demands for him to be brought on to bowl, and having his name chanted to bat even though Michael Clarke and Ed Cowan occupied the crease and built a solid partnership.

"I was sitting next to (coach) Micky Arthur telling him if we could get on the loudspeaker and tell them all to be quiet," Hussey said.

"I wanted the two out there to do the job and I could sit there and relax.

"The SCG is one of my top three grounds in the whole world, and the crowd support in general has been a bit overwhelming, and I've been a little bit embarrassed by it to be honest."

Hussey added that he most relished the extra time he would now have with his wife, Amy, and children, Molly, William, Jasmin and Oscar.

"I certainly owe them a lot, they have been fantastic support over a long period of time," he said. "We're away for up to eight to 10 months of the year, it is a big stress on family life. It's also hard for the player being away for that period of time.

"I'm looking forward to watching the children grow up and be part of their lives.

"William loves his cricket, so being able to help him with that. Jasmine loves her netball and gymnastics, Molly loves her swimming.

"To be there and be part of their lives is something I'm really looking forward to.

"I'm sure there's going to be aspects of it I'm going to miss, like being out there when the winning runs are hit, helping Australia win a series, or being in the dressing room with the boys after a game singing the team song. They're certainly things you're going to miss but all good things have to come to an end."

MIKE HUSSEY

Tests: 79
Debut: vs West Indies, Brisbane, 2005
Runs: 6235
Average: 51.52
Highest score: 195
100s: 19
50s: 29

ODIs: 185
Debut: vs India, Perth, 2004
Runs: 5442
Average: 48.15
Highest score: 109*
100s: 3
50s: 39