Mike Hussey takes up Nathan Lyon's cause with Australian selectors Spin bowler Nathan Lyon in action for NSW during the Ryobi Cup. TEST great Mike Hussey has taken issue with off-spinner Nathan Lyon's treatment by selectors and a culture of cheap caps damaging Australian cricket. Former Australian batsman Hussey also opposes Test legend and youth policy proponent Greg Chappell's assertion that "experience is overrated." Lyon snared 7/94 in Australia's final Test loss to India at Delhi in March but was overlooked for the first two Ashes Tests in England. It was a concerning departure from the "pick and stick" support Hussey thought Australia's youngest off-spinner to 50 wickets deserved. Hussey's former Western Australian teammate, left-arm spinner Ashton Agar was handed a shock debut against England at Trent Bridge. Now refugee leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed is challenging for an Ashes Test start against England in the return series opener at the Gabba from November 21. "I hope they go with Nathan for the first Test," said Hussey, noting Lyon's 85 wickets in 25 Tests. They had invested so much time and energy in him for 18 months before the Ashes and then didn't pick him. He has done a great job for Australia and I would love to see him play every game of the series. On retiring in January Hussey, 38, handed Lyon the honour of singing Underneath the Southern Cross - also the name of his new book - in team victory celebrations. Hussey's faith was rewarded as Lyon scalped England intimidator Kevin Pietersen twice in a seven-wicket, fourth-Test haul at Durham. My decision to pass the songmaster duties to him was based on character. It didn't worry Nathan that Kevin was trying to smack him over his head," Hussey told The Sunday Mail. Generally, the baggy green should be awarded on merit rather than potential warned Hussey who made 6235 runs in 79 Tests after debuting aged 30 in 2005. Reborn Test opener Chris Rogers, 36, a case in point. "My philosophy is slightly different to Greg's," said Hussey, with Chappell part of a selection panel this week admonished by Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards for ending opener Simon Katich's Test career at 35. You shouldn't just give guys a chance because they might be ready in a few years. We should be picking the best players when they are ready to perform for the Test team. Selectors wavered and preferred left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty and allrounder Glenn Maxwell ahead of Lyon in the second Test loss to India at Hyderabad in February. Hussey links premature Test caps with poor team performance. "If you have a handful of guys who are not ready then it puts pressure on other guys in the team," Hussey said.