Hussey's place in Australia's test side has come under increasing pressure, with just two centuries since the start of 2009 spurring talk that the 35-year-old should be fazed out of the team.

But after watching 37-year-old Tendulkar scored his sixth double century and take his career tally past 14,000 runs in a 2-0 India test series win over Australia, Hussey said “it does give you a bit of inspiration.” Tendulkar scored 214 in the first innings of the second test - his 49th test century - and took his series aggregate to 403 runs, at an average of 134.5.

Hussey said he was also encouraged by the late-career performances of fellow Australian players.

“Steve Waugh played quite late into his 30s, Matthew Hayden played very well, Justin Langer played very well into his late 30s, so I don't think age is a barrier whatsoever,” Hussey told Australian Associated Press.

“It's about whether you're up for the battle, you're enjoying the challenge out in the middle.” Hussey will make a rare appearance for Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield state game against South Australia, starting Friday at Adelaide Oval, and the Nov.

17-20 match against Victoria in Melbourne.

The left-hander, who in between will play for Australia in the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka, said the domestic games were vital for his Ashes preparation.

The first of five Ashes Tests against England begins Nov.