'Tall' Morkel will pose real challenge to Clarke during Test series: Hussey

Former batsman Mike Hussey has said tall Proteas pacer Morne Morkel will pose the Australian captain Michael Clarke more of challenge during the Test series.

Hussey, who this week accepted a consultant's role coaching the next generation of batsmen at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, rates Dale Steyn as the most difficult fast bowling opponent of his Test career, but believes Morkel is more of a handful for Clarke because of his height and awkward bounce.

He said Clarke would probably prefer to face Dale Steyn than Morne Morkel, and added that the Australian skipper prefers facing the shorter, skiddier bowlers rather than the taller ones.

Hussey said Clarke played Steyn with contempt at some stages, hitting him back over the top.

Clarke and Hussey shared mammoth partnerships in Brisbane and Adelaide in 2012-13, but the Proteas won in Perth to seize the series 1-0 and keep the No.1 Test ranking.

Curiously, South Africa has beaten the Australians in Australia on its past two trips, but success at home against Australia in 1969-70, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Hussey believes this series will be decided by how Australia's batsmen fare against the Steyn-Morkel-Vernon Philander trio.