ID :
28515
Wed, 11/05/2008 - 09:21
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http://m.oananews.org//node/28515
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Situation demanded defensive approach, says Hussey
S S Ramaswamy
Nagpur, Nov 4 (PTI) Renowned for their aggressive brand of cricket, Australia's defensive mindset in the Test series against India may have baffled most but middle order batsman Michael Hussey Tuesday insisted that circumstances warranted a cautious approach and his team reacted accordingly.
Hussey, who has hit a century and two half centuries
coming into this decider, did not agree with the views of some
former players that the visitors have been ultra-defensive in
their approach.
"I don't think so. It all depended upon the situation.
In Bangalore, we tried to press for a win. In Mohali it was
different as we were chasing a big score and in Delhi we were
again chasing a big total," Hussey argued.
"I'm sure if situation warrants, we will play attacking
cricket here," he added.
The 33-year-old middle order batsman said the team has
got used to playing against leggie Amit Mishra after
floundering against his spin in Mohali.
In his debut Test, Mishra scalped seven wickets -- five
of them in the first innings -- but Hussey believes his
teammates now have a better idea about the young leggie ahead
of the fourth and final Test commencing on November 6 at the
newly built Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here in
Jamtha.
"It's always difficult when you face a bowler for the
first time. But we have got used to him after playing against
him at Mohali and Delhi," Hussey said.
Australia are down 0-1 in the series and desperately need
a victory here to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, having
won the previous rubber at home at the beginning of the year.
Hussey, however, said the team was not focussing on the
outcome but on playing well so that the results follow.
"We are not focussing on the result for now but on the
process," he said, adding that the performance of the batsmen
in the third drawn Test at Delhi would stand the team in good
stead for the battle ahead.
"It was not such a flat wicket in Delhi and to chase 600
and come very close took a lot of perseverance. (Australian
captain) Ricky (Ponting) was very proud of our performance and
it has given us lot of confidence (for the series decider),"
the Western Australian player said.
Hussey feels that the first session of play is likely to
set the tone for the remainder of the crucial tie.
"The first session of play in the Test match is most
important whether batting or bowling. If we start it well we
can take it from there and press for victory," said the
left-handed batsman after practising at the old V.C.A. stadium
in the heart of the city.
Emotions would run high in the Indian camp here,
following the quitting of Anil Kumble and the imminent
retirement of another senior player Sourav Ganguly but Hussey
doesn't think it would affect the home team's focus.
"I would hope so, but it would not happen as they are
hardened professionals and would not allow these distractions
to affect their play," Hussey said.
The left-hander could not say whether the Australians
would include two spinners for the tie here by adding the
uncapped off-spinner Jason Krejza, who had a long stint at the
nets Tuesday, to leggie Cameron White.
"It will be decided by the captain and selectors after
they have a look at the main stadium and pitch. It would have
been wonderful to have the feel by playing in the main
stadium but that's not in our control and we have to take
what we have been offered and make the best of it," he said.
Hussey said that Test cricket remained the ultimate for
him despite the popularity of other formats of the game.
"Test cricket tests a batsman's skill, technique mentally
and physically. Test cricket is the most difficult form of the
game to play. I don't agree that crowds no longer throng the
Test venues. The examples are the Boxing Day match in
Melbourne, the crowds we saw at Delhi and others too," he
emphasised.
The middle-order batsman said he has taken the decision
to play for Chennai Super Kings and not his state team Western
Australia in the December 3-10 Champions Twenty20 League as he
did not want to block a younger player's chance to play for
W.A. and had also helped the Chennai side to qualify for the
event by playing four India Premier League ties. PTI SSR
Nagpur, Nov 4 (PTI) Renowned for their aggressive brand of cricket, Australia's defensive mindset in the Test series against India may have baffled most but middle order batsman Michael Hussey Tuesday insisted that circumstances warranted a cautious approach and his team reacted accordingly.
Hussey, who has hit a century and two half centuries
coming into this decider, did not agree with the views of some
former players that the visitors have been ultra-defensive in
their approach.
"I don't think so. It all depended upon the situation.
In Bangalore, we tried to press for a win. In Mohali it was
different as we were chasing a big score and in Delhi we were
again chasing a big total," Hussey argued.
"I'm sure if situation warrants, we will play attacking
cricket here," he added.
The 33-year-old middle order batsman said the team has
got used to playing against leggie Amit Mishra after
floundering against his spin in Mohali.
In his debut Test, Mishra scalped seven wickets -- five
of them in the first innings -- but Hussey believes his
teammates now have a better idea about the young leggie ahead
of the fourth and final Test commencing on November 6 at the
newly built Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here in
Jamtha.
"It's always difficult when you face a bowler for the
first time. But we have got used to him after playing against
him at Mohali and Delhi," Hussey said.
Australia are down 0-1 in the series and desperately need
a victory here to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, having
won the previous rubber at home at the beginning of the year.
Hussey, however, said the team was not focussing on the
outcome but on playing well so that the results follow.
"We are not focussing on the result for now but on the
process," he said, adding that the performance of the batsmen
in the third drawn Test at Delhi would stand the team in good
stead for the battle ahead.
"It was not such a flat wicket in Delhi and to chase 600
and come very close took a lot of perseverance. (Australian
captain) Ricky (Ponting) was very proud of our performance and
it has given us lot of confidence (for the series decider),"
the Western Australian player said.
Hussey feels that the first session of play is likely to
set the tone for the remainder of the crucial tie.
"The first session of play in the Test match is most
important whether batting or bowling. If we start it well we
can take it from there and press for victory," said the
left-handed batsman after practising at the old V.C.A. stadium
in the heart of the city.
Emotions would run high in the Indian camp here,
following the quitting of Anil Kumble and the imminent
retirement of another senior player Sourav Ganguly but Hussey
doesn't think it would affect the home team's focus.
"I would hope so, but it would not happen as they are
hardened professionals and would not allow these distractions
to affect their play," Hussey said.
The left-hander could not say whether the Australians
would include two spinners for the tie here by adding the
uncapped off-spinner Jason Krejza, who had a long stint at the
nets Tuesday, to leggie Cameron White.
"It will be decided by the captain and selectors after
they have a look at the main stadium and pitch. It would have
been wonderful to have the feel by playing in the main
stadium but that's not in our control and we have to take
what we have been offered and make the best of it," he said.
Hussey said that Test cricket remained the ultimate for
him despite the popularity of other formats of the game.
"Test cricket tests a batsman's skill, technique mentally
and physically. Test cricket is the most difficult form of the
game to play. I don't agree that crowds no longer throng the
Test venues. The examples are the Boxing Day match in
Melbourne, the crowds we saw at Delhi and others too," he
emphasised.
The middle-order batsman said he has taken the decision
to play for Chennai Super Kings and not his state team Western
Australia in the December 3-10 Champions Twenty20 League as he
did not want to block a younger player's chance to play for
W.A. and had also helped the Chennai side to qualify for the
event by playing four India Premier League ties. PTI SSR
