Team eager to start afresh and move forward – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Graham-Downton-c44379 Cowan – Cricket News Update
Following all the drama in the recently concluded Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, in the three-match Test
series, which stars from December 14, at Hobart.
Cowan reflected primarily on the final two Tests, where his side had to pull themselves up from the drawn affair at Adelaide, and further deal with the news that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 will no longer be a part of the Australian setup.
Punter’s decision came in the wake of another poor outing with the bat at the Oval, where he was bowled in both the innings. Despite his mediocre performances, the Aussies remained in pole position to grab victory, but failed to stamp their authority on
the all important final day of the match.
With the news of Ponting’s retirement making the rounds, the home side took the field for the final encounter but were thoroughly outplayed by their opponents, who imposed a heavy 309-run defeat to take the series 1-0.
That was the Aussies maiden series’ loss under http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978, and more importantly, made them realize the tough task ahead where they will no longer have the backing and knowledge of Ponting to count on.
With Sri Lanka next up, the Australian selectors named http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Phillip-Hughes-c2185 as Punter’s replacement following the former’s fruitful time in the domestic circuit. The left-hander has a significant chance to make a mark and become a permanent member of the Test
side following a disappointing time last year. Cowan said that the responsibility now rests on everyone to get the team back to winning again.
"It was tough mentally, and physically because it was a back-to-back Test," Cowan said. "Now we've had a chance to refresh, take stock and move forward. Phil Hughes is coming into the side off a lot of runs and we're pretty confident that everyone can contribute
to the team moving forward. We're now missing Australia's greatest modern batsmen, but it's an opportunity for guys to step up. It puts expectation on other guys to fill the void. That's the only way."
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