Hussey criticizes ICC Test rankings, says Australia better than fifth best

SYDNEY - Dismissing the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings system, batsman Mike Hussey has said that Australia is a better team than the fifth place they now occupy.

The batsman, who started his career when Australia was No.1 in the rankings table, has experienced the gloomy slide to the all-time low position, but believes it is not “a true reflection” of their form.

“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. With the new Test championship coming in, that will probably give a better indication of where teams are at, and a better understanding of where teams are ranked,” Hussey said.

“I don’t think about being fifth-best team in the world, I don’t necessarily agree with that,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Australia would not qualify for the Test championship if it were introduced now, as it will be contested between the top four sides.

Fortunately, it will be introduced in 2013, giving Australia time to climb back into the upper half of Test-playing nations.

“We need to get up to make sure we’re fourth to get into that. We’ve got a couple of years to continue the curve of getting better every time. I think our team is getting better all the time,” Hussey said.

“I have a strong belief in the personnel we’ve got, and the plans and processes we’ve put in place, that if we stick to what we know and don’t get affected too much by the outside influences, I firmly believe we’ve got a great chance to play some excellent Test cricket in the next year,” he added. (ANI)