Melbourne, Sep 7: Two weeks before Australia depart for what they call as the toughest challenge in world cricket, the tour to India; Michael Hussey said the team is yet to getting settled after injuries to key players and the controversy brooding over Andrew Symonds.
Hussey is hoping that senior players like Captain Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, will regain form after recovery from injuries. He feels that they would be fit in time for the challenge. He also added that they have also not given up hope on Andrew Symonds joining the Kangaroo squad.

Australia’s preparation for the tour has not been ideal with important members of the team nursing injuries. Skipper Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden missed the ODI series against Bangladesh as they recover from wrist and Achilles problem. Lee took a break to deal with his marriage break-up while Symonds’ banishment has raised serious doubts over his availability for the Indian tour.

‘We are pretty much up in the air at the moment,’ Hussey said in Cricinfo Saturday.

‘We’re certainly not settled on anything. We hope that the experienced players will be back in the team, such as Ponting, Hayden, Symonds, Lee. They know their games very well,’

‘They have got a lot of experience, they’ve played well in India before and so I don’t think it’ll take them too long.’

Hussey was able to be a part of the Australia’s historic Test triumph in India in 2004-05. He plans to look forward for his first experience in India.
‘I’ve never played a Test in India but I think the Australian team that won in ‘04, they said that was probably the Everest and I don’t think that’s changing. India stands among one in the best three in the world and I think it’s going to be a wonderful series. Probably it is the hardest place to win in international cricket.’

Hussey also said that Symonds’ return is a big matter for the team.

‘I just hope from Andrew’s point of view he can get his head right. He’s a very important member of our side. He will be helpful in Indian soil and I am hoping he’s going to be part of that trip.’

Tags : Cricket, India, Australia, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Matthew Hayden, Bangladesh

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