The Hindu : Best is yet to come: Ponting

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 23, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

Best is yet to come: Ponting

JOHANNESBURG MARCH 22. Skipper Ricky Ponting said his unbeaten Australian line-up had yet to produce its best at the World Cup and he's expecting the defending champion to peak in Sunday's final against India.

``It'll be huge,'' said Ponting, who replaced Steve Waugh as Australia's limited-overs skipper 12 months ago. ``You can guarantee we will be giving it our best shot.''

Ponting said India appeared to be on top of its game, while his side was saving its best for last.

``We haven't played our best yet, hopefully that comes out on Sunday. We have been tested on certain occasions, we have been under fairly intense pressure of late,'' Ponting said. ``The good thing is we have come through really well and got ourselves out of those tight periods and ended winning the game very comprehensively.

``Our batting hasn't been as consistent as we would have liked, especially our top-order. But hopefully back on a fast and bouncy wicket our top-order will do the job for us in our final.''

One bad day could end Australia's winning run and its World Cup chances.

``That's the beauty of this competition — you can have a day out and win as well,'' Ponting said. ``That's another way to look at it.

``We've come a long way, we've played some good cricket. We think we can improve.''

Ponting said the strength of the Australian line-up was its ability to raise its level when in trouble.

``You will see a very committed and disciplined outfit will take the field,'' Ponting said on the eve of the final. ``We just hope we keep playing at a very high standard for another 100 overs.''

While Australia plans a brutal assault on targeted Indian batsmen, it can also expect some all-out pace from the Indian seamers.

What worries Ponting the most is the threat by a new breed of Indian fast bowlers — Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra.

``They've been the ones that have done particularly well throughout this tournament. They are the main threats as far as we're concerned.''

While Damien Martyn, 31, is still recovering from a week-old break in his right index finger, Andy Bichel, 32, has a sore bowling shoulder.

``Still up in the air at the moment,'' Ponting told reporters after Saturday's net session. ``Martyn and Andy Bichel have done everything we have asked them to do today.

Ponting said Australia will unleash a relentless pace attack on Ganguly.

``The fast bowlers have caused a few problems. Sheer pace got him out in the game against us when (Brett Lee) got him,'' Ponting said, adding that New Zealand paceman Shane Bond also caused trouble for Ganguly in a Super Six match.

``Brett is pumped and he's been pumped for every game he's played. He's done damage at the start with the new ball.

``When someone is bowling as fast as him I think every batting order in world cricket is susceptible at some stage.''

The Australians would make the most of the bounce and pace of the pitch at Wanderers.

``It means a fair bit of short stuff and quick stuff to certain players,'' he said. ``Some of them cope OK and some don't. It's all about exploiting their weaknesses.'' — AP

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