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Ricky Ponting says he had misread the conditions

Special Correspondent

‘Matthew Hayden is recovering well and would be fit for Adelaide’

Perth: Australian captain Ricky Ponting admitted he had misread the conditions at the WACA, but credited India for playing outstanding cricket to win the third Test.

“It was a tough four days,” said Ponting. “India deserved to win the game the way they did. They outplayed us for the majority of the game. We probably misread the conditions leading into this game a bit, but I wouldn’t like to give any excuses.”

Asked if Australia had under-estimated India, he said: “The Indians are a very good team. We never underestimate any opponent and certainly not the Indians because we know they, particularly their batting, can be a formidable opponent and their bowlers did a terrific job here.”

Ponting admitted he was disappointed with the winning streak ending, but said: “Sixteen matches in a row is a great achievement, it would have been great to win one more...but we haven’t been good enough in this game. The run was always going to come to an end at some stage, we just haven’t played a brand of cricket that has been good enough to win this match.”

‘Swing’s no problem’

Although Ponting said the batsmen had cost Australia the match in the first innings, he denied that the swinging ball was their nemesis.

“The difference was 212 in the first innings, if we had made 312 or 350 it would have been a much better game for us,” he said. “But, it’s not the first time we’ve seen a swinging ball. England (in 2005) was more reverse swing which is tougher to play because it’s late, not so much conventional. But, R.P. (Singh) and Irfan (Pathan) used the conditions well.”

Asked if Australia had been less aggressive on the field after the controversy of the last fortnight, Ponting said: “A lot of our skills have let us down more than anything this week. I thought our preparation was great and it was just little critical moments in this match we faltered and it’s been a long time since we’ve done that.

“We had decided to play hard-nosed cricket, and I don’t think that was the issue. Yes, the losing team always doesn’t handle the pressure as well, but we’ve traditionally come back well, and we’ll work harder than anyone to turn the tables at Adelaide.”

Australia left out Chris Rogers for the fourth Test, naming the same squad of 12 that was announced for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.

Matthew Hayden, Ponting said, was recovering well, and would be fit for Adelaide.

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