Chennai Super Kings have won just three out of eight matches in the Indian Premier League, but their batsman Michael Hussey said his arrival and pacer Doug Bollinger has strengthened his side’s chances of making it to the semifinals.
“The race for the four berths is close. Though we have lost five matches including four in a row, it is not end of the world for us and we can turn it around. Now coach Stephen (Fleming) and captain (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) have more options,” he said ahead of his side’s match against Rajasthan Royals at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Saturday.
“It is a great feeling to be back to CSK. Doug Bollinger and myself joining the Super Kings should be a boost to the team. We are in good spirits and awaiting the matches. We will be positive in our approach,” he added.
Hussey, who joined CSK on Thursday along with Bollinger after doing national duty against New Zealand, was not sure if he will find a place in the playing eleven on Saturday.
“Tomorrow is a crucial match for us. We have to get the momentum going. We have four home matches and have the home advantage. I am looking forward to it. But neither coach nor captain has spoken to me. We should be flexible. There will be changes in the playing eleven. The eleven would always be based on the opposition and ground conditions,” he said.
Hussey said he was confident of adjusting to Twenty20 coming after playing the longer formats of the game.
“Australia have been playing a lot of ODI and Test matches in the recent past and we were able to quickly adjust to these two different formats. It is not a difficult task for us to get focussed and make the necessary adjustments for Twenty20 games,” he said.
On Bollinger, Hussey said, “He is a great character with lot of energy and good sense of humour. He is a skilful bowler and is an important bowler in the Australian team.
Once he understand and gels with the other players, he will be more comfortable.”
No player from Rajasthan Royals turned up for the mandatory match-eve press conference.
The Rajasthan players had their usual practice at the stadium for two hours in the afternoon but neither captain Shane Warne nor any other representative turned up for the press conference. R N Baba, Rajasthan Royals Media Officer later announced that “the team has left”.
