That's the dilemma Australia's Mike Hussey wrangled with the last time he was in South Africa and one he believes will need more thought given the signs are his batting has turned the corner.

Although excited at the prospect of playing the world's best in the Champions Trophy, Hussey believes the game's crowded schedule makes it difficult for players to constantly perform at their best.

The left-hander struggled badly during his last visit to this country, in Australia's Test series against South Africa in March, and was so mentally exhausted at the end he sat out the Indian Premier League and went home to rest.

The break freshened him for the Ashes, although it did not show in Hussey's series as he struggled until he posted a consolation century in the final Test at The Oval.

In the lead-up to Australia's first pool game, against the West Indies at Wanderers on Saturday, Hussey said he may in the future be forced to sit out some cricket again to prevent another slide in the international game.

"It's a difficult one because it's not something I like doing, I don't like resting," said Hussey, whose ton at The Oval ended a 10-month drought between centuries in the five-day game.

"It took me so long just to get one game for Australia, I don't want to start picking and choosing when I can and can't play.

"But it's a balancing act because you want to play at your best all the time and with the schedule the way it is, it's pretty difficult to play at 100 per cent the whole time.

"I don't know, I'm still coming to terms with that sort of stuff and still probably learning - I've only been around international cricket a few years." While's Hussey's Test struggles spanned 28 innings without a century, his form in the one-day arena did not slide as significantly, although he could not explain why.

"Sometimes the game smiles on you and sometimes it doesn't," he said.

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