Australian stand-in skipper Mike Hussey has asked the national selectors
not to panic on the string of loses ahead of their World Cup title defense
and show trust in the team to fight its way back to the top.
Australia slumped to their second consecutive One-day
defeat against New Zealand- their fourth loss in as many ODIs - which
knocked the World Champions from the top spot in One day rankings
for the first time since the listings began in 2002.
"It certainly hurts. We pride ourselves on being the No.1
team in the world and we pride ourselves on trying to get better to keep the
gap between one and two higher" Hussey was quoted as saying in `The Australian`.
"We can`t afford to panic. We can`t afford to start making wholesales
changes or anything like that. We have got to trust our personnel. We have got
to trust our own games, trust each other, and keep backing each other. I know
if we keep working hard, we`ll be fine."
Hussey admitted Australia was having problems containing teams
when bowling second. In little more than a year, Australia has gained the highly
dubious record of having the One-day game`s three greatest run-chases made against
it.
"I know big totals being chased down is an area of concern
and we are going to have to get better at it, but I think we have got the right
people in the team and in the squad," Hussey said.
Australia`s score of 4-336 was chased down by New Zealand with
an over to spare at Auckland.
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