Aussies must follow Ponting to ‘leave all stress in locker’: Hussey
By ANISunday, January 2, 2011
SYDNEY - Australian batsman Michael Hussey has advised his teammates to follow the example of injured captain Ricky Ponting, and keep a clear mind at the crease regardless of external pressure.
Australia currently trails the five-match Ashes series 2-1, with the final Test to be played in Sydney from January 3.
“What I’ve really admired about Ricky Ponting over the years is that he’s had so much on his plate dealing with the captaincy, dealing with the media, sponsors and Cricket Australia, but when he goes out to bat he does it with a clear mind and he plays his natural game,” the Age quoted Hussey, as saying.
“I’ve tried to learn off Ricky and it’s been a case of watching him handle different situations and I’m constantly amazed how he can leave all the stress in the locker and play his natural game,” he added.
The 35-year-old also insists that a series-levelling victory in the Sydney Test would promote a greater sense of self-belief in the inexperienced players in the team.
“Everyone of us is disappointed that we haven’t won the Ashes. It would be a real moral victory for us if we can claw back and level the series; it would be much better than [losing] 3-1,” Hussey said.
“I think [a drawn series] would be better going … into the future. It would help give us the confidence and the self-belief that we can do it,” he added. (ANI)
