Aussies ready to ramp up bid for 4th WC title: Hussey

BANGALORE (Agencies) - Veteran Australian batsman Mike Hussey has said that his side is ready to ramp up their bid for a fourth straight ICC World Cup. Australia are unbeaten in 33 World Cup matches after a 60-run victory over Kenya in their Group A contest. Hussey, who returned to the middle-order with a bright 54 of 43 balls against Kenya, said Australias clash with Pakistan in the final group match marked the real beginning of their title defence. Pakistan is going to be a huge game down in Colombo and we should be starting to try and peak around that stage as well, Fox Sports quoted Hussey, as saying. He added: We can still get better in a lot of areas and if we keep getting better it should be a great game against Pakistan. It wasnt so bad for me but for the boys, I think theyve had enough netting. Theyre pretty keen to get into the real stuff and weve got three games in seven days now so it should be good, Hussey said. Ponting said he was happy to have his middle-order rock back in the batting line-up. Great to have Huss back around the squad. He fitted back in beautifully today and played the way we know he can play, Ponting said. Australia captain Ricky Ponting indicated the champions were set to field the same side when they face Canada in their penultimate group match on Wednesday. The title-holders eased into the quarterfinals with an unconvincing 60-run win against the North Americans fellow non-Test nation Kenya at Bangalores Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. Pontings decision to bat first on winning the toss and Kenyas spirited effort in making 264 for six in reply to Australias 324 for six ensured the match went the full 100 overs. The game was Australias first complete match in more than a fortnight following their no-result washout last weekend against co-hosts Sri Lanka. But several frontline batsmen, including Ponting himself, did not spend as much time in the middle as they would have liked while all of Australias spinners went wicketless. Australia, bidding for a fourth straight World Cup title and fifth in all, may be the only unbeaten side but they have yet to be tested ahead of their final Group A match against Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday. The result of that match could have a major bearing on Australias quarterfinal opponents, with the title holders net run-rate something damaged by Kenyas defiance with the bat a potential factor.

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