The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Aussies focus on regaining top rank

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Tuesday, Mar 06, 2007
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Aussies focus on regaining top rank

Melbourne: Michael Hussey has warned South Africa, which is its group rival in the World Cup, that Australia would make every effort to reclaim from it the top position on ICC rankings.

South Africa recently upstaged Australia from the top ranking after Ricky Ponting's men suffered five consecutive defeats against England and New Zealand last month.

``We did pride ourselves on being the No. 1 team in the world and if results go our way in this tournament then we can get our way back to that No. 1 where we want to be,'' Hussey said.

``We still believe we are up there with the best teams in the world but we just have to prove it on this tour,'' he was quoted as saying by The Age.

Hussey also said the pressure to perform would remain on the World Champion team.

``Not really. I think there is always going to be pressure in international cricket,'' said the middle-order batsman, who captained Australia during its New Zealand tour.

``We really enjoyed being the No. 1 team in the world and we strived harder and harder to try to make the gap further and further between one and two,'' he said. ``So now first we try to get that No. 1 place back and then we have to try to make the gap bigger again,'' he added. — PTI

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