IANS/Sydney


Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin has said India is welcome to continue the short-ball attack on him in the fourth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) Jan 6-10.
India’s quickies have bombarded the veteran Aussie gloveman with the short stuff in the past two Tests to mixed success. Haddin managed just 19 runs in the first two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane before notching up a vital 55 in Australia’s first innings of the third Test.
One of India’s chief antagonists, Haddin can likely expect the same treatment in the final match beginning Tuesday but says it doesn’t worry him. “If that’s their plan, they’ll have plans for it and I’ll combat them whatever way I see fit,” Haddin was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“If I see I need to change momentum of the game in the last hour and I need to get through that period and set up the game for our team. If their bowlers want to bang it down halfway for an hour and a half then go for your life.”
Haddin believes his first innings half century at the MCG is proof he wasn’t in as poor form as many critics were claiming.

Hussey not ready to become India coach
Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey says he is mystified by a report in India that claimed Mahendra Singh Dhoni has floated the idea of him becoming India’s coach once Duncan Fletcher’s contract expires.
“I’m not sure if I’m really ready for that sort of challenge,” Hussey was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald Thursday night “Thanks, M.S., if it’s true...but, I’m still playing!”
Dhoni, who retired from Test cricket after last Tuesday’s draw with Australia, was reportedly concerned about the direction the dressing room’s culture was headed. “In a carefully calibrated way, Dhoni’s intent and communication about Hussey has reached the top BCCI boss, and nobody else is privy to this,” the report claimed.
The article said Hussey was seen by Dhoni as: A “brilliant thinker and man manager”; he’d bring Gary Kirsten-like “calmness and camaraderie” on board; Hussey was seen as the “brain” behind Murali Vijay’s success in Australia because he’d worked with him; his “work ethic” was legendary.
Hussey, veteran of 79 Tests, said his immediate priority was to help the Sydney Thunder fulfil its vast potential.
Zimbabwe-born Fletcher took over from Gary Kirsten after India won the 2011 World Cup. Despite enjoying success with England, however, Fletcher was yet to lift the Indian team to greater heights when they toured. His contract expires after this year’s World Cup.