Michael Hussey reveals tough Aussie morale even as Ponting admits middle-order solidity is missing this time.

By Joshua Nath

It was a media day out for Team Australia. Thursday was a day for mixing business and media commitments in sultry Mumbai.

Targeting a second successive seven-match ODI series win in India in two years, Australian cricketers spoke at length about their team's chances, effectively revealing the tough side of a crack professional outfit

Skipper Ricky Ponting was at the centre of it all. 'Punter' explained how his team is coping up to the challenges to retain its supremacy in world cricket, especially after the retirement of legends like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

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"Obviously, it is very difficult to retain that level of ranking at the top after losing great players like Warne, McGrath, Gilly and Hayden," said Ponting.

"Two years back our one-day team had a solid middle order with the likes of Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Mike Hussey making up number 5,6,7. But now with Callum Ferguson injured and no Clarke in the series, we will have to wait and plan accordingly only on the eve of the match because we also do not know what combination we are going to use.

"Thankfully, Tim Paine and Shane Watson have stepped up their game to give us good starts at the top order of late," Ponting added.

However, middle order mainstay Mike Hussey thinks that the absence of Clarke will not add pressure to the batting line-up.

"I do not think that the batting will be under pressure even though Clarke is not in the team. Instead, we have lot of faith in the middle order and are confident enough that it will deliver even in tough conditions in India," Hussey said.

Speedster Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson too sounded very confident and eager to do well in India. "Everyone loves to play in India as everyone loves cricket here, so we are eager to play good cricket against them," said an upbeat Watson.

Other cricketers present in the media interactive session were wicket-keeper Tim Paine, fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus, all-rounders James Hopes and Adam Voges, top-order batsmen Shaun Marsh and coach Tim Nielsen.

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