• Downloads  
  • Desktop Alerts
  • Toolbars
  • Wallpapers
  • Screensavers

Australia v India, 3rd Test, Perth, 3rd day

'There's still a positive mood' - Nielsen

Peter English at the WACA

January 18, 2008

	Tim Nielsen believes Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey will have to play a vital role for Australia to win a record 17th consecutive Test © Getty Images

Australia will use a target that only one team has bettered to inspire them as they attempt to create a world record of 17 consecutive wins. Despite being outplayed by India for the second day in a row, the home side have not ruled out a surge for victory even though they will resume wanting a further 348.

Only West Indies, who stormed to 7 for 418 against Australia in 2003, have captured more than the 413 Australia need, but coach Tim Nielsen does not believe it is out of reach. "In the back of their minds they think this will be a pretty special thing to do," he said. "That tends to fire them up a little bit and get them enthusiastic."

Many great moments have occurred under Ponting during the unbeaten streak, which stretches back to 2005, but one thing missing is a huge fourth-innings pursuit. It would be a remarkable way to collect the new mark - an India win is the most likely result - and Australia's task was made even harder when both openers were lost as they reached 65 by stumps.

Nielsen was not concerned by the early losses and his outlook was boosted when Ponting (24) and Hussey (5) made it through unharmed. "One way or another, if we play well enough, we'll give ourselves the chance to chase down a really big total and get the record we're looking for," he said. "It's an achievable result for us and we feel as though we've got the quality of batsmen and pretty good conditions on our side."

Despite his optimism, Nielsen knows the final two days will not be easy and the team is desperate for a couple of big hundreds from the top order to secure a stable base. "Ricky and Michael will be vital in that regard to set it up for us," he said. "The good thing is the wicket's still in pretty good shape, the outfield's fast and we've seen that when batsmen get in they find it easier to score."

Nielsen said the side was still suffering from being dismissed for a below-par 212 in the first innings and the problems were not caused by a lack of group impact from the pace brigade. He also insisted the players remained upbeat. "We knocked a few runs off the total tonight," he said, "and there's still a positive mood around the rooms."

Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo

© Cricinfo