Captain George Bailey’s Australia side will have their final training session on Thursday ahead of stage two of their World Twenty20 campaign when they embark on a three-match assignment in the Super Eights.
Australia qualified for the Super Eights with wins in the group stage over Ireland and West Indies but they will find the going tough against India, South Africa and Pakistan, starting with the India clash on Friday (midnight AEST).
The build-up to the game against India at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium has been dominated by the return-of-form of spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has a long history of antagonising Australia’s batsmen.
Harbhajan celebrated his first international appearance for more than a year by taking a national-record 4-12 last weekend against England, and Australia batsman Mike Hussey says there’s no doubt the talkative spinner will try to engage the Aussies in some verbal duels.
No.3 batsman Hussey says he doesn’t like to get involved with bowlers but admits the combative opener David Warner may take a different approach.
“I prefer to walk away and not worry about it,” says Hussey, 37.
“If he (Harbhajan) wants to use his energy up sledging and carrying on, that’s fine.
“Some other guys really thrive on it. Davey Warner, he likes a little bit of interaction out there and it gets him going.
“So I don’t think there is a right way or wrong way to handle it, but I think it’s up to the individual to know he’s going to try these tactics so you’ve got to be ready for it, and be sure it doesn’t affect your concentration but handle it in your own way.
“I just think let him (Warner) go, let him play his way. That’s what given him success so far.”
The ICC have released their latest rankings following the completion of the World T20 group stage, with Australia rising two spots to seventh and allrounder Shane Watson up four places to a career-best third on the batting list.
Watson is also Australia’s highest-ranked bowler at No.7.