DAVID HUSSEY spent the early stages of the Caribbean tour immersed in books such as To Kill A Mockingbird and Catcher In The Rye . The reading has continued for the cerebral batsman over the last few days, only the titles have changed from fiction to dossiers on West Indian cricketers.

A wrist injury to Ricky Ponting paved the way for Hussey last night to become Australia's 167th one-day international cricketer, playing alongside his brother, Michael, in the fourth one-day international against the West Indies at Warner Park. The selection continued his parabolic rise through the ranks: steady improvement early, followed by a marked upswing in recent months, as the batsman's form surge dovetailed with the retirements of several veteran batsmen.

"Two years ago you were thinking you were miles away [from playing for Australia], but nowadays it is changing," Hussey said. "A few good players are getting older - they're still well and truly good enough to keep playing - but it is changing a fair bit at the moment. For me, it's just about getting runs at the right time. I was lucky enough to have a couple of decent years. A lot of people get their starts from injury, and I'm one of those people. Hopefully I can take it with both hands."

Confirmation of his evolution came this week when Cricket Australia instructed him to stand down from his Nottinghamshire commitments and rest up at home. Last night may have been his maiden ODI, but it appears selectors plan to call upon him more often.

The experience of touring with the senior players - including Michael Clarke, who captained the one-day side last night for the first time - has already an impact.

"I've learned a lot; not about my game, but about me as a person and just touring with the Australian team," Hussey said. "Every game they put on the Aussie cap they have to win … There's no relaxed atmosphere. It's bang on intensity for the 100 overs you play."