David Hussey says Australia will come out fighting as they face their must-win clash with Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge.
Australia ready to come out fighting in must-win Sri Lanka clash
David Hussey says Australia will come out fighting as they face their must-win clash with Sri Lanka to stay in the World Twenty20 tournament.
After Chris Gayle inspired the West Indies to a thumping win in their first game, Australia now need to beat Sri Lanka convincingly at Trent Bridge to avoid an early exit.
Ricky Ponting's men do not have the best record in Twenty20 internationals though, winning only half of their 22 matches and losing the last four on the spin.
Hussey admits that the defeat against West Indies was a big blow, but insists they will come out fighting in their must-win battle with Sri Lanka.
"It was highly disappointing, but we've got to move on," Hussey told
Sky Sports News.
Win well
"We've got to play Sri Lanka and we've got to win and win well and hopefully stay in the tournament
"Our backs are against the wall, but that's what Australians love - being in that situation.
"I think Twenty20 cricket is exciting as it is, but I think you'll see an Australian team coming out and playing very, very good and aggressive Twenty20 cricket.
"We know what we have to do. I remember in the last tournament Australia lost to Zimbabwe but still got to the semi-finals before unfortunately losing to India, so hopefully we can replicate the last tournament only this time go one better."
An early exit from the tournament would be a bad start for Australia's Ashes preparations, but Hussey insists the team are not even thinking that far ahead.
"As a team we haven't really spoken about the Ashes to be honest, we're fully focused on this competition and hopefully we can bring home the silverware."
Ireland v Bangladesh
Monday also sees Ireland take on Bangladesh in Group A, in what could be a play-off for the second qualifying spot for the Super Eights.
Bangladesh lost their opener against defending champions India, who would also be huge favourites to beat the Irish side, meaning the meeting between the two could prove conclusive.
Niall O'Brien will be one of their best hopes against a team they easily beat at the 2007 World Cup.
"I've probably got the most experience of any of the lads in the team," the Northamptonshire wicketkeeper-batsman observed.
"I'll have to draw on all that over the last three or four years in England at Twenty20 level.
"A lot of people go back to 2007. But for me, that has gone. It's two years down the line now, and I'm a better player than I was then.
"I'm looking forward to impressing on the world stage again."
