Hussey unconcerned about lack of runs

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, Mar 21 (Reuters) Defending champions Australia start the serious business of the World Cup against South Africa on Saturday with barely any contribution in the tournament so far from their most prolific batsman.

Michael Hussey, who averages 79.85 in test cricket and 62.32 in one-day internationals after finally sealing his place in the national side, was out for four against Scotland and two against the Netherlands. He also made a duck against England in a warm-up match in St Vincent and only 15 against Zimbabwe.

The reason is not a sudden form slump from the man dubbed Mr Cricket after his astonishing run feats over the past two years.

Instead Hussey has come to the crease at number six with only a handful of overs remaining and no option but to try to hit quick runs.

''The guys up the top are doing the job,'' he told reporters after training today. ''I'd like to come to the middle and hit a few sixes but that's the nature of where I bat.'' The winners of Saturday's final Group A match will take two points through to the Super Eights where Australia start their second-round campaign against hosts West Indies in Antigua next Tuesday.

''The boys are really training very, very well, we are really pumped up for the game against South Africa,'' Hussey said. ''The last couple of game have been good to get used to conditions. I think we have played well but we really haven't been tested.

It's going to be a great game against South Africa.'' HEALTHY RESPECT Hussey said he did not think the two teams would indulge in the pre-match propaganda battles that have marked recent clashes between the countries.

''I think both teams have a healthy respect for each other and I think probably that both teams think that this type of banter doesn't really work,'' he said.

''You can play all the mind games you want, going back and forth, but at the end of the day I don't think it really works at all. What really happens is out on the field.'' Australia may pick from a full squad of 15 for the first time in the tournament on Saturday if the selectors decide all-rounder Andrew Symonds is finally ready to return to the team after tearing his right bicep last month.

''We usually decide on the day before the game,'' team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris told reporters. ''I will sit down with the selectors and see what they want him to do. They have had a good chance to look at him themselves.'' Symonds is now batting freely and bowling his off-spin in the nets but Kountouris said there was still some work to do on his throwing.

''We haven't actually cleared him to play but there's still a couple of days,'' he said.

REUTERS DH RN2342