Aussies must follow Ponting to ‘leave all stress in locker’: Hussey
January 2nd, 2011 - 3:12 pm ICT by ANISydney, Jan 2(ANI): 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)
- Hussey eyeing series-levelling victory against England for 'real moral victory' - Jan 01, 2011
- Our rise to No.1 spot will start from Sydney, says Hussey - Jan 01, 2011
- CA chief defends axed Ponting - Feb 26, 2012
- Clarke describes appointment as Sydney Test captain as temporary - Dec 31, 2010
- Hussey backs 'champion' Ponting to prove his critics wrong - Dec 17, 2010
- Ponting set for World Cup return - Feb 08, 2011
- Clarke to lead Australia in fifth Ashes Test - Dec 30, 2010
- Rejuvenated Oz team's message for England before Ashes - Jan 14, 2010
- Hussey confident of regaining Ashes by aiming to 'win every Test' - Aug 27, 2010
- Stigma of lossing three Ashes series will remain for life: Ponting - Mar 30, 2011
- Chappell had urged Ponting to bat at No.4 in Ashes opener - Dec 30, 2010
- Record 90,000 fans at MCG will be electrifying: Ponting - Dec 25, 2010
- Ponting backs under-pressure Hussey to come good in Ashes - Nov 03, 2010
- Ponting says playing with pain from broken finger 'won't hinder performance at all' - Feb 10, 2011
- I'm not here to fill Ponting's shoes, says Usman Khawaja - Dec 31, 2010
Tags: batsman, belief that, confidence, crease, cricket australia, final test, game, inexperienced players, match, media sponsors, michael hussey, moral victory, ricky, self belief, stress, sydney, teammates