SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: Nic Maddinson of the NSW Blues has been chosen to play for Australia during day four of the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria at Sydney Cricket Ground on November 20, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Former Test batsman Mike Hussey  was shocked with Australia's third Test squad when it was announced on Sunday, and couldn't believe the selectors made six changes to the side.

A 12-man squad was named by interim chairman Trevor Hohns on Sunday, with exactly half the team being axed after the big loss in Hobart last Test.

“Wow! I’m in a bit of shock,” Hussey told cricket.com.au's The Unplayable Podcast.

“I can’t believe there’s been so many changes. The selectors have really wielded the axe."

“They’ve not taken the two losses to South Africa very well and they’ve cut quite a few players and picked a whole range of new guys.”

The new-look Australian squad has a major focus on youth, with 30-year-old opener David Warner the oldest player.

Coach Darren Lehmann forcasted changes for the Adelaide Test by saying only four players were safe from Hobart, with Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon doing enough to get recalled for the day-night third Test.

Peter Handscomb, Chadd Sayers, Nic Maddinson and Matthew Renshaw could all be handed their first baggy green when the third Test gets underway on Thursday, although Hussey says he feels for the Hobart debutants that had to make way.

“I’m not sure I would have gone for that many changes, personally,” Hussey said.

“I’m sure the selectors would have had a lot of discussion leading into these decisions and there’s some really tough calls been made there.

“It’s a very tough call on players like (Callum) Ferguson and Joe Mennie who were just given one opportunity.

“I thought Joe Mennie (1-85) bowled quite well in the Test match in Hobart.

“He’s well within his right to feel a little aggrieved.

“And Callum Ferguson, he’s pretty unlucky.

“It was tough conditions for batting (in Hobart); he was run out in the first innings and a pretty unlucky dismissal in the second innings.

“He’s got to find himself a little bit unlucky to be given just one opportunity at Test match level and find himself back in Shield cricket.”

Out of the four newcomers Peter Handscomb looked the most deserving following the Sheffield Shield round over the weekend, scoring 215 against New South Wales in Sydney.

“Handscomb, what about the timing?,” Hussey added.

“With the Australian team battling a fair bit, to score a double-century against NSW in front of Steve Smith definitely got him over the line to get picked for Australia.

“He is a very good young player and I know he’s been identified for a period of time now.

“He’s been the Australia A captain throughout the winter.

“I just really hope now that they’ve given him an opportunity they stick with him for a while and give him a good opportunity to grow into the role and not cut him as well if he has a couple of ordinary Test matches in a row.

“It’s important to give these guys an opportunity.”