London/Melbourne, Jan 1 : England''s bowlers qre toasting the retirement of Australian batting stalwart Mike Hussey.

Hussey, who arrived in Sydney yesterday ahead of his 79th and final Test, will leave a major void in the Australian batting line-up ahead of this year''s back-to-back Ashes series.

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior was only too happy to express the relief shared by his English teammates upon learning of Hussey''s retirement on Saturday, coupled with the departure of Australia''s greatest modern-day batsman, Ricky Ponting, last month.

Prior told The Daily Telegraph that it would be interesting to see who comes in place of Ponting and Hussey.

England fast bowler Graham Onions described Hussey as a "nightmare to play against".

Former all-rounder Paul Collingwood described him as a "a seriously tough competitor with an amazing record".

Former England spinner turned journalist Vic Mark said Usman Khawaja, for all his promise, would not cause quite so many furrowed brows as the prospect of bowling to Hussey did over the past seven years.

Hussey has dominated England in past campaigns, scoring 1304 runs at 59.27, including four tons and nine half-centuries, news. com. au reports.

He topped all Australian run-scorers during the ill-fated 2010-11 Ashes series with 570 runs at 63.33. (ANI)