Trailing 0-1 in the two-Test cricket series, the never-say-die Australians are raring to go all-out to win the second and Test against India here, beginning Saturday, and share the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Trailing 0-1 in the two-Test cricket series, the never-say-die Australians are raring to go all-out to win the second and Test against India here, beginning Saturday, and share the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"We have to win this Test at any cost. If we play with the same intensity as we did in the first Test at Mohali, we have a good chance of levelling the series," Australian dashing middle order batsman Mike Hussey told reporters Thursday.
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Though down after losing the Mohali Test by one wicket in the thrilling finish Monday, the focus of the Australian team at this moment is to play good, disciplined cricket for long periods of time.
"It was a great Test, but disappointing to lose. Probably, it was a match we could have won. We had our opportunities, but we couldn't do the job and get over the line," Hussey said at the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium after a half-day at the nets.
Acknowledging that they were playing against the number one team in the world on its home turf, Hussey said they would try to maintain the same consistency they had in the first Test.
"The boys are in good spirits. Some of them, especially the fast bowlers are trying to recover after a tough match at Mohali. The focus is on recovery and keeping our skills in good shape," Hussey observed.
Pointing out that nets and the facilities at the venue were always good, the 35-year-old batsman said the players were trying to adapt to the local conditions and the pitch, which got wet due to overnight rains.
"We will try to get used to the nature of the pitch here. I think the pitch at the nets is similar to the one in the middle. We will have a closer look at it Friday and again on the first day of the match to get a better idea of its condition," Hussey noted.
On his own form, Hussey admitted that though he got some good starts, he couldn't go on with them.
"I know if I stick to basics, a big score is just round the corner. I feel good about the game and am determined to do well in the Test here."
Hussey could score only 17 in the first innings and 28 in the second at Mohali.
Equating the intensity of a net session to a real match situation, Hussey said the boys were trying to create the intensity and pressure of a match during the nets so that they don't feel they were away from the middle.
Admitting that India are tough opponents in India, Hussey said the home team had some seasoned professionals in their batting order.
"They know how to handle pressure situations, they have done it many times before. Even in their bowling attack, Harbhajan played a lot of Test cricket and Zaheer Khan has experience. They know the conditions well and how to use it to their advantage," Hussey confessed.
Asked if he would go for a sweep shot against spinners, Hussey said it would depend more on the pitch condition.
"It depends on the conditions. In the first innings of Mohali Test, the ball wasn't turning much and Indians were bowling straight. It was quite dangerous to play across the line for a sweep shot. Whereas in the second innings, the ball was turning and with the sort of line they were bowling, I was able to play the sweep," Hussey recalled.
Noting that Australian batsmen handle the spin very differently, Hussey said each of them had their own plans, which were successful in the past.
"That's one good thing about our team. Everybody knows about their strengths and stick to that. I play differently to Ricky (Ponting), (Michel) Clarke and (Marcus) North," he added
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