David Hussey wary of ‘united’ Stags
Victoria skipper David Hussey in an exclusive chat with ESPNSTAR.com said his side is ready to brush off their opening defeat.
By Rajarshi Gupta in Johannesburg
Having come into the ACLT20 as one of the favourites to make it to the knockout stages, the Victorian Bushrangers crashed to a surprise loss against the Warriors.
However, David Hussey is confident the fire power in his side can help the Australian champions turn the tide in their favour when they take on the Central Stags at Centurion on Wednesday.
"It was a very disappointing start because we have a lot of talent in our side. Game one did not go as planned and hopefully game two against Central District Stags will be better."
"We have some high class players in our group and hopefully the best players in our team will come good in our game in the Super Sport Park."
"There are some very good bowlers in the Victorian team and I am sure they will be able to use the conditions in Centurion."
In a fast paced tournament like the ACLT20, if a team slips early, then the danger bells are all too loud. One more loss for the Bushrangers and the last year's semi-finalists could be on their way out of reckoning.
But the Australian ODI and T20 middle-order batsman was not unduly worried and refused to treat the game against the Stags as a high-pressure encounter. Just stick to the basics, the younger of the famous Hussey brothers said.
"We didn't put our best foot forward against the Warriors so we have to quickly right the wrong and do well against Central District Stags," David told ESPNSTAR.com in a matter-of-fact tone.
Not that the Victorians are looking at the Stags as pushovers - the only big name the Kiwis boast of is speed merchant Shane Bond with Ross Taylor playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Jacob Oram missing out of action altogether. Hussey knows how dangerous the HRV Cup champs from his Trans-Tasmanian neighbours can get.
"They don't have the star names that we have but the Stags play as a team and everything they do is for each other. It will be a good game because both sides will be keen to win and keep hopes alive of a last-four berth."
The Stags, like Victoria got off to a losing start, going down to IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings.
Before a do-or-die game for his side, Hussey chose to look at the positives and draw some inspiration: "In India, all the boys adapted pretty quickly and we got to the semis.
"Here in South Africa, the conditions will actually work to our advantage and hopefully we can use that to get further ahead in the tournament."
The Central Stags will have to be wary of an Australian backlash, knowing how ruthless their traditional rivals can get after a resounding defeat. The Kiwis just happen to be in the firing line.
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