Australia have broken ranks from the sporting norm, by telling all and sundry their desire to reclaim their status as top dog.
While football teams shy away from any talk of premiership ambitions until the trophy is safely tucked away in a cabinet, the Australian cricket team have set themselves the lofty target of trouncing India 5-2 in their one-day series which starts on Sunday in Pune.
Such a one-sided series victory against the World Cup champions and world No.1 team would reinstate Australia as the top-ranked ODI side on the planet.
Spinner Xavier Doherty says nobody in the team is hiding from the fact that after a period of limited success for the national side, reclaiming top spot would have an enormous impact.
“The team hasn’t performed as it would’ve liked over the past 18 months or even a bit longer, but we’re still second and not far from first,” Doherty said.
“Even the fact that we’re (ranked second) goes against a bit of the public perception.
“The team is actually in reasonable shape and being so close to a World Cup, and being on the cusp of being the number one team, we’re in a pretty good position and obviously hoping for a good result to take us back to No.1.”
With India’s star-studded line-up including the world class MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, and Australia’s own squad reeling from the withdrawal of skipper Michael Clarke (back), the task seems treacherous.
Cue the sniggers from Australia’s doubters across the globe.
But Doherty said it was not as far-fetched as some might think.
The 30-year-old pointed to Australia’s one-day success in England, where they bounced back from a humiliating 3-0 loss in the Tests to win the 50-over series 2-1, as an indication of what the side is capable of.
“… (Reclaiming the No.1 ranking) is very achievable,” he explains.
“I think the way the team played in England, clearly there was a focus on some really aggressive ‘let’s take this game to them’ approach.
“I’d be expecting the same sort of thing (in India).
“If we play to our ability, there’s no doubt we can come away with a series win.
“If we win enough games, and obviously we’re hoping to win all of them, then we go back to No.1 in the world.”
Batsman Phil Hughes, who is seeking once again to fight back into the Test team, went as far as saying Australia’s Ashes campaign would receive a jolt in the arm with a positive Indian tour.
“(Taking back the top ranking) would give confidence to everyone. And it would go into all formats as well,” Hughes said.
“I know it’s the one-day format but, if you do do well, you can bring that into the Australian summer and hopefully the Test series.
“When you win, the vibe’s always a lot higher.”
