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| October 09, 2006 | Monday | Ramazan 15, 1427 |
Ashes no distraction for Australians, insists Ponting
NEW DELHI, Oct 8: Australian captain Ricky Ponting said on Sunday his team was not worried about the Ashes series later this year and they were aiming to do their best in the Champions Trophy.
“The Ashes series is not a distraction. This is a one-day squad and we are very keen to play well and make it through to the final,” said Ponting, whose side are the favourites for the title.
Australia host England for the Ashes series starting in November.
“Every tournament that we have played in the last six or seven years, we have been the favourites. But that doesn't really mean anything because it is all about playing well on a particular day,” said Ponting.
Ponting, 31, who led Australia to a World Cup triumph in 2003, said his team was good enough to ensure a third successive title in the West Indies next year.
“We have as good a team as in the last World Cup. In fact, the balance between bat and ball as well as experience and youth is better in this present lot,” said Ponting, who has scored 9293 runs in 256 one-dayers.
Ponting, who had hammered a match-winning 140 not out against India in the final of the last World Cup, felt the home side would be a formidable team in the Champions Trophy.
“India are always hard to beat at home, especially with the crowd support, but then we have a good record against them,” said Ponting.
Australian coach John Buchanan too said his team was concentrating on the tournament in India rather than any other series.
“The Champions Trophy is a one-day tournament which I feel any team can win. It is a build-up towards the World Cup, so we are not bothered about the Ashes or any other event for the time being.
“This is a tournament in which you have to be at your best, whatever your ranking. Looking too far ahead will make one vulnerable because losing one game can get a team in big trouble,” said Buchanan.
The coach said his focus with the all-conquering Aussie sides of recent years had been to try and enhance individual abilities.
“It is up to the players to keep improving themselves and a coach can only create an environment for them to improve and grow as individuals,” he said.
Australia, who have never won the Champions Trophy, play their opening match against a qualifier in Mumbai on Oct 18.
The ongoing qualifying league features the holders the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, with the top two teams making it to the main tournament starting on Oct 15.—AFP
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