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Australia's Hauritz relishes spin challenge
Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz said he was relishing the challenge of bowling against Pakistan's batsmen, who were adept at playing slow bowlers.
Abu Dhabi:
Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz on Sunday said he was relishing the challenge of bowling against Pakistan's batsmen, who were adept at playing slow bowlers.
The 27-year-old took three key Pakistani wickets to help Australia bowl their rivals out for a modest 207 in the second match in Dubai on Friday.
Australia won the match by six wickets to level the five-match one-day series one-all. The third match will be played here on Monday.
Hauritz, who went wicket-less in Pakistan's four-wicket win in the first match in Dubai on Wednesday, said it was a great challenge to play Pakistan.
"It is great to bowl on these wickets and against these guys, who are great players of spin under these conditions," Hauritz said after his team's practice session.
Hauritz said Australia were focused on winning the series.
"Australia haven't won a series since beating Bangladesh (last year) and have struggled to win even two matches in a row, so the focus is on consistency," said Hauritz, who has taken 20 wickets in 16 one-day matches.
Australia have lost twice to South Africa -- both home and away -- and squared a series against New Zealand last year to lose their number one rankings in limited overs cricket.
South Africa now top the one-day ranking, followed by Australia.
"We've played some good cricket in patches and it would be great to string a few (wins) together," said Hauritz. "We're not far off and there's some good players back in and guys finding form.
"It's always a good habit, winning. It's definitely been a rebuilding phase in the one-day set up for Australia in the last 12 to 18 months, and to have guys like Roy (Andrew Symonds) and Shane Watson back, and Stuart Clark is fantastic for the side."
Australia rested regular captain Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson for this series. Michael Clarke is leading the team with Symonds, Clark and Watson back after missing most of last year.
Watson and Clark are recovering from fitness problems, while Symonds was left out on disciplinary violation.
The 27-year-old took three key Pakistani wickets to help Australia bowl their rivals out for a modest 207 in the second match in Dubai on Friday.
Australia won the match by six wickets to level the five-match one-day series one-all. The third match will be played here on Monday.
Hauritz, who went wicket-less in Pakistan's four-wicket win in the first match in Dubai on Wednesday, said it was a great challenge to play Pakistan.
"It is great to bowl on these wickets and against these guys, who are great players of spin under these conditions," Hauritz said after his team's practice session.
Hauritz said Australia were focused on winning the series.
"Australia haven't won a series since beating Bangladesh (last year) and have struggled to win even two matches in a row, so the focus is on consistency," said Hauritz, who has taken 20 wickets in 16 one-day matches.
Australia have lost twice to South Africa -- both home and away -- and squared a series against New Zealand last year to lose their number one rankings in limited overs cricket.
South Africa now top the one-day ranking, followed by Australia.
"We've played some good cricket in patches and it would be great to string a few (wins) together," said Hauritz. "We're not far off and there's some good players back in and guys finding form.
"It's always a good habit, winning. It's definitely been a rebuilding phase in the one-day set up for Australia in the last 12 to 18 months, and to have guys like Roy (Andrew Symonds) and Shane Watson back, and Stuart Clark is fantastic for the side."
Australia rested regular captain Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson for this series. Michael Clarke is leading the team with Symonds, Clark and Watson back after missing most of last year.
Watson and Clark are recovering from fitness problems, while Symonds was left out on disciplinary violation.
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