Don’t count us out, warns Ponting

Published February 11, 2011

“I don’t really care where we start the tournament. It’s totally irrelevant. Yes, we are ranked number one but we won’t be thinking about that.” —Photo by AFP
“I don’t really care where we start the tournament. It’s totally irrelevant. Yes, we are ranked number one but we won’t be thinking about that.” —Photo by AFP
BANGALORE: Australia may not start as strong World Cup favourites but the momentum is with them after their recent one-day success against England, skipper Ricky Ponting said on Friday.

“At the moment we’re in good shape. We’ve got some really good confidence and a bit of momentum around our team,” Ponting told reporters in Bangalore.

“Our lead-up really couldn’t be much better coming into this World Cup, having just beaten a pretty good English side with quite a few of our more senior players not taking part.”

Australia, seeking a fourth consecutive title, lost the recent Ashes to England at home but bounced back strongly to clinch the following one-day series 6-1.

Ponting said he was not worried his side were not considered as overwhelming favourites despite enjoying the top ranking in one-day internationals and an enviable record at the showpiece event.

Australia have not been beaten in their last 29 games (one tied) since their last World Cup defeat to Pakistan at Headingley in 1999.

“I don’t care,” Ponting said when asked about the missing favourites tag.

“I’m not sure if there’s a really hot favourite going into a tournament like this.

“I don’t really care where we start the tournament. It’s totally irrelevant. Yes, we are ranked number one but we won’t be thinking about that.”

Ponting however conceded India and South Africa “are probably two of the outstanding teams”.

The Australian skipper also said he was hopeful of playing in Sunday’s opening warm-up game against India in Bangalore despite having missed the one-day series against England due to a broken finger.

“The next couple of weeks are important for me. To be out of the game for a month going into a World Cup is not a perfect preparation. I have to really focus on my batting and my fielding,” said Ponting.

Australia are in Group A with Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya, with the top four sides making it to the quarter-finals.

They open their campaign against Zimbabwe at Ahmedabad in India on February 21.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...