1 Feb 2009

Australian mens cricketers down and out

8:49 am on 1 February 2009

The Australian batsman Michael Hussey admits the team's confidence is down but says the group is due for a reversal in form, starting with Sunday's first one-dayer against New Zealand at the WACA Ground later today.

Australia lost their No.1 one-day ranking following their 4-1 series capitulation to South Africa.

Ricky Ponting's charges can regain the mantle with a win over NZ but Hussey said the focus was more about the team's form rather than the rankings.

And despite Australia's latest loss Daniel Vettori still believes the Black Caps will enter as underdogs.

He says playing Australia in Australia is still the toughest challenge in world cricket and any team that plays there is naturally going to be an underdog.