Australia upbeat despite T20 slump: White

9 Sep 2012, 7:07 pm   -   Source: AAP
Australia are already two-nil down in their three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan. (AAP)

Australia are already two-nil down in their three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan. (AAP)

Australia batsman Cameron White is in an optimistic mood despite Australia's slide to 10th on the Twenty20 world rankings.

Australia's Twenty20 cricketers are well aware they've slipped below the semi-professional Ireland team to 10th on the world rankings, but middle-order batsman Cameron White says all that can change very quickly.

The former skipper says a win in Monday night's dead-rubber third game against Pakistan will be a confidence-booster for the side before they head to Sri Lanka to prepare for their World T20 Group B clash with Ireland on September 19.

Victory against Pakistan would also push Australia back above Ireland.

Australia were thrashed in Wednesday night's opening game, registering their second-lowest score of 89 before Pakistan reached 3-90 with 5.1 overs to spare.

George Bailey's men showed improvement in game two to tie the match at 8-151 chasing Pakistan's 4-151, before Pakistan clinched a one-run victory in the one-over eliminator.

However the loss in game two relegated Australia to 10th.

"We know where we're ranked," said White, whose 2-4 record as captain in 2011 has been matched by Bailey.

"We haven't been winning enough games so that's why we're down there.

"Things can change around quickly.

"If we start winning in that (World T20) tournament we can easily shoot back up and if we win it, there's no arguments to say that we're not No.1 in the world."

Pakistan's squad includes the three leading wicket-takers in T20 history: spinners Saeed Ajmal (58) and Shahid Afridi (58) and paceman Umar Gul (57).

Afridi has missed the first two games with a thumb injury.

White has been in excellent form at T20 domestic level in England and India in 2012 after averaging under eight in last summer's Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars.

But the Victorian has made only 15 and five in the Pakistan series.

White said the heat and humidity of Dubai and playing against the talented Pakistan line-up provided Australia with a fantastic preparation for the World T20.

"We'd like to be winning but we've made great steps from the first game to the second," White said.

White said Australia had finished runners-up in the 2010 World T20 and had an outstanding record in big events.

"We're a good chance going into the tournament," he said.

"This side is a very good side. It's just about playing to our potential."

White said he was unaware of any possible lineup changes.

Spinner Brad Hogg struggled after being recalled for game two, taking 0-38. Bailey has backed Hogg, saying he can be expensive but is a genuine wicket-taking threat.

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell, who was dropped for game two, had a mild throat infection on Sunday morning but was expected to train later in the day.

Monday's game starts at 8pm (0200 Tuesday AEST).

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