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It was hard to score runs: Ponting

Special Correspondent

Melbourne: Australian captain Ricky Ponting said batting on a slow MCG pitch was not easy. “It was not a difficult pitch to bat on but it was hard to score runs.”

About his own form, he said, “I wanted to spend some time in the middle, try and get a partnership going. But when you are in a rut you keep finding ways to get out.”

Lee will be back

The Australian skipper revealed pace spearhead Brett Lee would return for the match against India in Sydney on Sunday. Left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson would, however, be rested.

Ponting admitted the Aussies have not been making runs but said it had not been bad batting all the time. “Some of the pitches have not been very good. They have lacked pace. The bowling has been good throughout the series.”

The Aussie skipper said he would play the remaining two league matches. “I have never thought of having a break. Physically, I have felt very good. I have to get bat on ball, spend more time at the crease. Hopefully, I will be able to do that on Sunday.”

Man-of-the-Match Michael Hussey said, “It was a slow wicket. It was hard to find the gaps and penetrate the field. The odd delivery would gain unexpected bounce. It was one of my best innings. I thought 184 was a defendable target.”

Sri Lankan vice-captain Kumar Sangakkarra said, “We’ve made it quite difficult for ourselves over the whole tournament. We’ve been making the opposition look a bit better than they really are.”

About the side’s immediate target, he said — “We have to regroup, reassess and then go out there and try and win the next game in Hobart.”

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