Australia must pick `best team possible` for dead rubber against NZ: Hussey

Melbourne [Australia], Dec.7 (ANI): Former Australian Test skipper Mike Hussey has urged the national selectors not to rest the key pacers and instead pick the 'best team possible' for the dead-rubber ODI of the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand to be held on December 9 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia wrapped up a comprehensive 116-run win over the Kane Williamson-led side in the second match in Canberra to seal the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy for the first time since 2011. While Australian selectors are looking to rest pace spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ahead of the upcoming three-match Test Series against Pakistan, Hussey wants the Steve Smith-led side to go for the clean sweep against the Kiwis. "I'm going to be really interested to see what the selectors do here. I know they'll be very tempted to perhaps give Starc and Hazlewood a bit of a rest leading into the Test matches against Pakistan but a lot of me hopes they don't because Australia's won a Test match . built up a bit of momentum through this series, there's no point trying to stop that momentum now," cricket.com.au quoted Hussey as saying. Mr. Cricket further said that he would like to see Australia continue the winning momentum that began in the final day-night Test against South Africa in Adelaide. "(They should) keep the momentum going, keep the guys playing well, keep the team's confidence up so they can take it into the Pakistan series. I hope they keep picking the best team and make this a whitewash," he added. The second ODI also saw Australia record their highest ODI total of 378 on home soil after opener David Warner struck a blistering 119-run knock and shared a 145-run stand, the highest partnership of the match, with skipper Steve Smith (72) to provide his side with a solid start. Travis Head clocked his career best 57 while Mitchell Marsh also contributed significant 76. Recalled pacer Pat Cummins scalped four wickets and was the pick of the Aussie bolwers.(ANI)