SYDNEY, Nov 11: Australia’s cricketers will be determined to prove themselves when they take on New Zealand next week after their comprehensive series loss to India, Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori said on Tuesday.

India clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-0 on Monday, prompting commentators back home to suggest Australia’s international dominance of the game could be coming to an end.

But Vettori said he expected Ricky Ponting’s men to settle the score with their critics when they return to play in the two Test series against New Zealand.

“This is the first time, I suppose, that they’ve been beaten in a series comprehensively,” Vettori told reporters. “I look at the Aussie team and think they are quite a resilient side and I’m sure they are going to bounce back and will want to answer some critics in the next couple of Test matches.”

Vettori said he still regarded the Australians as the team to beat. “You look at the Australian team, and their performances in their own country over the last few years have been almost impeccable,” he said. “It’s going to be difficult. I’m sure they will be hurting as a side after losing the Test series.”—AFP