Home > Cricket > Reuters > Report

'Pressure the key to beating Australia'

October 28, 2003 19:51 IST

New Zealand must put Australia under more pressure to end a run of three straight defeats by the world champions, captain Stephen Fleming said on Tuesday.

Both teams go into their second game of the triangular tournament also involving hosts India depleted by injuries, New Zealand missing all rounder Chris Cairns and Australia without fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz.

Cairns suffered a hamstring strain in his team's abandoned opening game against India, while Kasprowicz has a hip problem to add to Australia's seam bowling problems. Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee are missing the tournament because of injury.

Australia are also under pressure after their 37-run defeat by India on Sunday but Fleming knows how tough they are to beat following his team's experience at this year's World Cup.

Australia were reduced to 84 for seven on a slow Port Elizabeth pitch before tail-ender Andy Bichel lashed 64 and Brett Lee ripped through the Kiwi batting to seal a 96-run win.

"That is an indication of how much pressure you have to apply and for how long, because their players believe in themselves all the way down," Fleming said.

Ponting was not looking to blame the weakened bowling attack for his team's poor start to the tournament.

"We didn't get off to a very great start in the series," he said. "I thought we bowled and fielded quite well, but our middle order didn't perform very great."


Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor




Related Stories


Kasprowicz replaces Lee

Tri-series tougher than W'Cup

India to exploit weak Aussies



People Who Read This Also Read


'We hope to play good cricket'

Mad rush for tickets at Wankhede

Aus-NZ match promises thriller






© Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.











Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.