Disagreement among Oz players about Ashes mental preparation: Hussey

KOCHI - Australian batsman Mike Hussey has revealed that his teammates are divided over the best mental preparation for next month’s Ashes series.

The Australian team is currently ranked fifth in the world, and is dealing with their longest Test-match losing streak for 22 years.

“We’ve spoken about it a little bit, and I think there are differing views in the team to be honest. Some guys don’t want to downplay the series, but want to try to take the pressure off us as much as possible and just go in and relax and enjoy and express ourselves and be able to play freely,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hussey, as saying.

“But then some other players like the idea of building up for a huge contest, building up for the Ashes - it is probably the pinnacle for any cricketer to be involved in an Ashes series. So different players handle it differently depending on what sort of personality you are,” he added.

The 35-year-old further said that for him ‘it is a huge series, but I’m trying to play as calm and in the moment and relaxed as I can”.

As for the issue of the rankings, Hussey said the only major concern for the side would be to make sure that they are placed in the top four by the time the inaugural Test Championship comes around.

“I don’t think we’re the fifth best team in the world, I don’t think that’s a true reflection of our team, we’re definitely better than that,” Hussey said.

“We need to get up to make sure we’re fourth, to qualify and get into that, but I haven’t thought too much about it - we’ve got a couple of years to continue that curve of getting better every time, and I think our team is getting better all the time,” he added.

The first of the five Ashes Tests will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 to 29.

It will be followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

The tour also has two Twenty20 clashes and a seven-match ODI series. (ANI)