The top ranking in one-day international cricket is getting closer to Australia’s grasp, but vice-captain Brad Haddin says it’s one step at a time for the moment.
Leading their three-match series against Pakistan one-nil, Australia will take enormous confidence into Friday’s second game in Dubai (2200 AEDT).
Pakistan’s morale, in contrast, is very low and captain Misbah-ul-Haq admits his side’s confidence is “shaky”.
“If we win tomorrow it will definitely be on the radar to get back to number one,” Haddin told a media conference on Thursday.
“But our most important thing is to make sure we front up tomorrow and continue to get better.
“If we’re lucky enough to get the result tomorrow then 100 per cent you’d like to get back to number one.”
A three-nil sweep by Australia, coupled with India winning fewer than four games of their five-game series against West Indies, would allow Australia to regain top spot.
Haddin said he was unaware of the bleak picture Misbah had painted of the host side’s glum spirits following Pakistan’s 93-run loss in the opening game in Sharjah on Tuesday.
“I didn’t know he said that. That’s good,” Haddin said.
“I’ll go back and tell the boys. I don’t know if they’ve seen that.
“If they are lacking in some confidence it’s good these games are only a couple of days apart and we can get back out there.”
Haddin said Australia would look closely at recalling left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty to possibly partner frontline spinner Nathan Lyon, who claimed two wickets as did part-time offspinner Glenn Maxwell in Tuesday’s game.
“We might even play five spinners,” Haddin said.
“We might play none. I don’t know.”
Haddin appeared to be enjoying playing a bit of cat and mouse with the media by suggesting Test and one-day captain Michael Clarke was a possible inclusion.
Clarke, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, was officially ruled out of the ODI series on September 16. The skipper has trained with the Test squad in the past few days including some light jogging ahead of the two-Test series starting on October 22 in Dubai.
“We’ve even got our Test players around,” Haddin said.
“Michael Clarke I think batted today, did he?
“Michael? Wait to see tomorrow.”
