RAIPUR, India (CMC) — Australian batsman Michael Hussey says he has clicked with West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons as the opening pair for the Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians.

Hussey’s disclosure came after Mumbai Indians eased to a nine-wicket win against Southern Express in the Champions League T20 qualifier on Sunday.

Simmons slammed 76 as the two put on an opening stand of 139 in a chase of 162.

“It is up to the think tank. But I feel we have a good partnership going,” Hussey told clt20.com.

“We have a good rapport with each other in the middle and we have had some good partnerships together.”

The opening slots have always been an issue for Mumbai Indians, with several openers being tested across IPLs with varying degrees of success.

Simmons faced 51 balls and struck 11 fours and a six, while Hussey’s 60 came from 40 balls and included five fours and three sixes.

“[Against Express] we pretty much played our own games. Lendl is a naturally aggressive sort of player and then I just try and float in between. We talked a lot out there,” said Hussey.

“There was good communication. We sort of picked our bowlers, when we could go [after a certain bowler] and when we could just give the strike to the other player. It [the roles] changed throughout the partnership.”