The last few weeks have been as much about the game as they have about mind-games, and in a matter-of-fact statement, Australian coach Tim Neilsen admitted that the team’s pride has been greatly dented after the loss in the first final.

And in a rare admission, he said it was the mental side of the game that had let the team down, adding that the hosts needed to regroup before Tuesday’s crucial do-or-die match at the Gabba.

“We’re doing a lot of work. As Ricky (Ponting) said last night, it’s probably the mental side of the game that’s let us down a little bit over the last couple of games. We had a situation yesterday where we were on top and then gave our wickets away which put us back under pressure.”

These words come 24 hours after skipper Ponting had admitted that all happenings off the field through the summer had made it extremely frustrating for himself and his team. He blamed this for his own poor form and the team’s inability to hit top form.

Neilsen, who took over from John Buchanan late last year, also realises that the team’s morale wasn’t where it should be. “I think you’d be inhuman to not have a bit of a hit to the confidence when you’re not getting the results you’re looking for,” he said. “We’re playing against a very good opposition, and a bowling attack that’s bowling very well.”

Australia, like India, have had a very long summer, and coming to the last stages, the players have shown the fatigue. “It’s just a matter of trying to maintain your focus and concentration throughout a long summer. We’ve been going for nearly five and-a-half months now, we’re getting to a stage where the results have a lot more impact than round-robin games. We learned lessons from last (Sunday) night. We need to front up and do better,” says Nielsen.

... contd.