Hussey, in Canberra on Friday, retired from international cricket this year and covered the first two Ashes Tests as part of television commentary.

But the 38-year-old's focus is now on the Thunder, with a series of practice games next week to get him ready for the team's opening match, the derby with cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers on December 21.

''I haven't been playing as many games as I would have liked so I'm expecting to be a bit rusty early in the series,'' Hussey said.

''I just need to work really hard in the next week or so. It's not up to me to score all the runs for Sydney Thunder, we need contributions from everyone on the list.''

That includes Canberra product Ryan Carters, who has been in sensational form for NSW in the Sheffield Shield, scoring two centuries in the four-day competition and a 94 against England in the tour match.

''He's going to be a key batsman for us as well as our wicketkeeper,'' Hussey said. ''For him to be in such good touch is going to be really important for the success of the team. We're very hopeful he's going to continue that form throughout the Big Bash.''

Carters missed out in the most recent Shield match against South Australia, but it won't deter him from transferring his form in the longer format to the explosive nature of Twenty20. ''It's definitely a different approach to batting, going from a strike rate of 50 to hopefully get well above the 100,'' Carters said.

''I'll be working with our coach to work on some plans on different bowlers for the upcoming matches.

''We're lucky to have three trial matches next week, so that's plenty of time to get into the rhythm of Twenty20 batting.

''I'll also be trying to grab Mike [Hussey] as much as possible for a few chats to find out how he approaches it, especially recently in the IPL when he really dominated with the bat.''