David Hussey believes fellow Victorian Clint McKay is the man to fill the latest vacancy in Australia’s Test fast bowling stocks.

With a side strain ruling Ben Hilfenhaus out of the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka, Mitchell Johnson – 12th man for the Hobart Test – and Jackson Bird have been touted as likely contenders.

But Hussey, a Melbourne Stars teammate of both McKay and Bird, said McKay would top his list and his strong form for the Stars in Saturday night’s Big Bash League win over the Hobart Hurricanes should help his cause.

The 29-year-old seamer, whose only previous Test came against the West Indies in 2009, took 3-25 from his four overs against the Hurricanes.

“He’s been there and thereabouts for the one-day cricket, he’s been fantastic in that format for Australia and I think he’s just getting back to his best,” Hussey said.

“He’s been fantastic for Victoria for many years now and hopefully he’s got a few pennies in the piggy bank so they might sway that way.”

Hussey said Twenty20 cricket could be a useful guide to potential Test form despite the vastly-differing formats.

“Playing a little bit of international cricket, your intensity really has to be high,” he said.

“I think T20 cricket does get that intensity up for you, so it shouldn’t be too much of a transition.”

Hussey also urged selectors to give Stars teammate, top-order batsman Rob Quiney, another chance at Test level should Michael Clarke be ruled out for Melbourne, despite Quiney’s recent Test failures against South Africa.

“He knows the conditions, knows the ground very well, so he’d be my selection,” he said.