The England captain, successfully acclimatised already having flown out a week earlier than the rest of the party, joined up with the squad for the first time in a morning practice session at the WACA nets.

The players were put through a light fielding practice and net session for the first time since their arrival in Perth as part of a general build-up towards their opening match against an ACB Chairman's XI in Lilac Hill on Tuesday.

But although expectations of England's hopes are low both in Australia and at home, Hussain remains optimistic his young squad can end a search for the Ashes stretching back to 1986-7.

"Everyone said it was mission impossible when we went to Sri Lanka, it was the same in Pakistan and it was mission impossible when we beat West Indies for the first time in 33 years," he said.

"We showed all them we could do it and we're here to show Australia and every Australian watching us that we can beat them as well - we wouldn't have got off the plane if we didn't think we could win.

"I hope we can compete with them in all areas because we're going to have to beat them in all areas to win the series. There's no point batting well and dropping all our catches.

"Australia are a pretty complete side and we have to cover all our bases. The way Test cricket is going no-one can hide because people are coming out and scoring quick double hundreds and bowling mystery balls - you have to have all bases covered."

England face a tough opening to the tour with several of Australia's leading players being lined to face the tourists in the early matches.

The Australian selectors have released Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn to play in the three-day match for Western Australia against England at the WACA starting on October 28, one of only two first class matches before the opening Test in Brisbane on November 7.

They will be joined by former Zimbabwe batsman Murray Goodwin and fast bowler Matt Nicholson.

England also face a challenging ACB Chairman's XI line-up with former Test players Kim Hughes and David Hookes joining the likes of Nicholson and Yorkshire coach Wayne Clark for the one-day match.

ACB Chairman's XI squad to face England at Lilac Hill on Tuesday: M Hussey (capt), R Campbell (wkt), S Meuleman, M North, K Hughes, D Hookes, G Hogg, K Harvey, M Nicholson, C Thorp, P Wilson, M Clark, W Clark.

Western Australia squad to face England in two-day match at the WACA, starting on October 24: Hussey (capt) C Rogers, Meuleman, M Goodwin, North, S Marsh, L Ronchi (wkt), Harvey, B Casson, Thorp, M Clark, Wilson.

Western Australia squad to face England in three-day match at the WACA, starting on October 28: A Gilchrist (capt & wkt), J Langer, Hussey, Meuleman, D Martyn, Campbell, Goodwin, North, Rogers, Marsh, Hogg, Nicholson, S Kappinen, B Williams, J Angel.