Kevin Pietersen was missing for Ashes test series

Mike Hussey says Kevin Pietersen's absence through wound for the remaining three Tests of the Ashes sequence is a "boost" for Australia to the lead of the third Test at Edgbaston next week. "It's a big loss for the England team, he's be a quality batsman for a long occasion," said Hussey, who captains Australia against Northamptonshire.

Asked if it was fair to suppose that the absence of England's best batsman had given the tourist a lift, Hussey insisted: We haven't really spoken about it too much as we're more just focussed on things we need to work on.

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