Australian captain Ricky Ponting said on Thursday his side was better prepared to tackle the Indian team including big guns.
MUMBAI: The battle has begun even before the first ODI. And the contest is really about who blinks first — and loses afterwards.
The first salvo was fired in Bangalore by Australia’s captain, Ricky Ponting, when he told reporters just a day after arriving in India: “The Twenty20 win is great, but it’s a thing of the past.”
Batsman Robin Uthappa shot back, saying: “We will fight fire with fire.” But Ponting — who’s in India with Team Australia to play seven ODIs — peppered his attacks with statistics as well: “India will be under pressure after winning in South Africa, and we hope to start with a victory on Saturday. We have a good record against India, especially in ODIs.”
Australia have a better ODI record against India, in India. Of the 30 matches the two sides have played, the Aussies have won 15, losing 12; three matches ended without any result. Overall, the Aussies have a win record of over 61% against India.
Significantly, Ponting senses oldies may not provide Team India with verve and aggression. “One thing that stood out for the Indian team at the Twenty20 (cup) was the youthfulness, giving it a fresh air. It’s unfortunate some of the younger guys will be making way for seniors to come back.
“We have played against Dravid, Ganguly and Tendulkar a lot. We know their strengths and weaknesses very, very well. So, probably, it will make it easier for us. With these guys in the team…the pressure will be on India,” said the Aussie captain, who is likely to sit out Saturday’s ODI in Bangalore, as he’s still nursing a hamstring injury.
If that happens, Ponting will miss S Sreesanth, who has become more determined after hearing the Aussie skipper’s remarks that he will be “singled out” at the ODIs.
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