AHMEDABAD – Australian skipper Ricky Ponting reckons his batsmen know what to expect in World Cup quarter-final, just as their Indian counterparts know what awaits them.
Ponting on Wednesday made it amply clear that the four-times champions would employ their time-tested formula of unleashing raw pace against the Indian batsmen, most known for their perennial discomfort against short and rising deliveries.
At the same time, Ponting expects India to play to their strength as well, pressing into service one spinner after another to torment the Australians.
“No doubt we rely on our fast bowlers to take the wickets and India are probably the exact opposite of that,” Ponting told reporters, adjusting his cap after a grueling practice session that left his face purple.
“Looking at their last match, it was probably in the 26th-27th over before (pace bowler) Munaf Patel got to bowl. We have an idea of what to expect tomorrow. Probably they would open with Zaheer Khan and one of the spinners with the new ball and bring their spinners early on.”
“We could be facing 30 overs of spin bowling and they will probably… face 30 overs of fast bowling.”
Ponting himself is trying to wriggle out of a prolonged bad patch – his highest score in the tournament being 36 – but the Tasmanian was more interested in talking about what his team, rather than any individual, needed to do to win the match.
“Instead of putting any more pressure on myself or the team, I tried to enjoy the last couple of days,” he said.
MOUTH CLOSED
“We need to relax and let the instincts take over. We know that we need to play with freedom and play with some conviction and we need to play the Australian way. If we can do that I’m sure we will have a good contest.”
Mind games are perceived by many as an indispensable part of the Australian way that Ponting spoke about but there has not been any conspicuous effort by this squad to get under the opponents’ skin so far.
“We have just learnt to keep our mouth closed a little bit more I guess. I hope our cricket does the talking for us tomorrow. Lot of that sort of chat has really not happened since (Glenn) McGrath and (Shane) Warne have been out of the team,” Ponting quipped.
Thursday’s match, in all likelihood, would be the last World Cup appearance of either Ponting or Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who occupy the top two positions in test run tally.
Ponting insisted again, it was not about individuals.
“It’s more than about one individual. It’s the Australian team crashing out or the Indian team crashing out,” he said. “Whichever way you look at it, there would be some disappointment for someone.”
One of the major attractions of Thursday’s contest would be whether Tendulkar can reach his 100th international century and Ponting promised to spoil the party.
“It’s an amazing record, a magnificent effort but I hope his 100 does not come tomorrow… We will make sure he’s stuck.”
