Hussey keen to keep Australia on top, Fleming defiant

WELLINGTON, Feb 15 (Reuters) Australia's stand-in captain Mike Hussey is determined the world champions will not lose their position at the top of the one-day rankings under his leadership.

Australia's shock tri-series finals defeat by England and South Africa's win over Pakistan have put Hussey's side under pressure going into the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand starting at the Basin Reserve on Fridday.

''We're all aware of it and we want to stay No. 1, there's no question about that,'' Hussey told reporters today.

''Our main goal is playing well and winning the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and if we do that we remain No. 1.

''Certainly the players are aware of it and we're very determined to remain No. 1, it's something we're very proud of.'' he said. Hussey leads an inexperienced Australian side without rested captain Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, the injured Andrew Symonds and almost certainly fast bowler Brett Lee, who suffered an ankle injury during fielding practice today.

Hussey said Australia's standards had slipped in the two tri-series finals losses to England with the start of their World Cup defence now just a month away.

''We probably weren't as disciplined as we normally are, I think (coach) John Buchanan keeps a bunch of statistics and we did fall off a little bit on the bowling and batting side of things,'' Hussey said.

''There are things we didn't do as well and to a degree that was because of the way England played and the pressure they put us under and we weren't able to cope. I suppose it does galvanise us to a degree.'' Hussey said that despite the problems he felt confident going into the matches against New Zealand starting with a day-nighter in Wellington.

''We've still got some excellent, experienced cricketers,'' he said. ''We've got a wealth of depth.'' DEFENDED CRITICISM New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, meanwhile, defended criticism of his leadership during the tri-series.

''Leadership and decision making is a massive part of my game,'' he said. ''I love the job, I love being with the team. What I find tiring is spending weeks when you know you're copping it.

''That can be a little bit draining but it's part and parcel of being New Zealand captain when you're not performing well. When you lose you're torn apart.'' Fleming's body language was described as flat during the tournament in Australia and he struggled to impose himself consistently with the bat.

''In some games I'd have loved to have had another go at it, you can do 20 different things during a game,'' he said.

New Zealand have won only two of 22 one-day matches against Australia since 2002 and Fleming is not expecting an easy ride against Hussey's depleted team.

''It's an oxymoron to say there's a weak Australian side, there's no such thing,'' Fleming said.

REUTERS SAM PM1247