FORMER Australian skipper Mark Taylor has hailed Mike Hussey's inspirational 116 against England.

Coming in the third Test in Perth, Taylor sees it as the clutch innings to trigger an Ashes fightback for the ages.

If Mitchell Johnson's six-wicket haul in England's first innings of 187 was the turning point with the ball for Australia, then Hussey's century yesterday could be the knock that effectively reclaims the Ashes.

"I can't think of a more special one. His country needed, he needed it. Hussey wrestled back the momentum for Australia," Taylor said of Hussey.

The 35-year-old veteran has been Australia's trump card when the heat is on. Hussey became the first batsman to post six consecutive 50-plus scores in an Ashes summer - helping Australia to a second innings total of 309 and difficult 391 target for England.

 What so many thought was the 2010 annus horribilis that would end Hussey's 57-Test career has turned into a 959 run-feast that could see him continue in the Australian line-up towards his 40th birthday.

Hussey entered the Ashes with a mediocre 442 runs in eight Tests at 36 this year but already has 517 at 103 this series.

"He entered the series under pressure and now he is on the verge of making 1000 runs in a calendar year," noted Taylor.