The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Aussies wary of `dead rubber syndrome'

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Friday, Nov 25, 2005

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Aussies wary of `dead rubber syndrome'

Adelaide: Ricky Ponting is demanding that his Australian team banish the `dead-rubber' mentality as they attempt to complete a three-Test sweep over the hapless West Indies, with the third and final Test starting here on Friday.

The Australians have proved themselves vastly superior to the Caribbean tourists, carrying off the first two Tests by 379 runs and nine wickets to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy.

But the hosts have developed a sloppy habit of not finishing off one-sided series with victories in the final Test. There is always the danger that they could take their eyes off the ball and set up Shivnarine Chanderpaul's team for an unexpected result.

"A lot of our focus is almost looking ahead to the next series (against South Africa) now," Ponting said on Thursday.

"Although we've got a Test match to play here it's important — with stronger opposition arriving in a couple of weeks' time — that we really focus on maintaining the really high standards that we've set since we've been back from England.

The teams: Australia: Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath. Nathan Bracken (12th man).

West Indies (from): Devon Smith, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore, Dwayne Smith, Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best.

Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZ), Aleem Dar (Pak). Match referee: Mike Procter (RSA). — AFP

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