SOUTHAMPTON, Sept 14: Australian captain Ricky Ponting is backing his four pace bowlers to blast a way through to the ICC Champions Trophy final. Ponting went into the opening group match with the quartet of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie and was rewarded with the nine-wicket demolition of the United States.

But their inclusion meant no room for all-rounder Shane Watson or spinner Brad Hogg. Ponting said both of those could be in action against New Zealand on Thursday at Edgbaston in Australia's next match.

"There is an option to play a spinner against New Zealand, just as there was against the United States. "Our four seamers are bowling really well at the moment but that is not to say they will all be in the team to take on New Zealand. We went in against the United States with four quicks and it worked well for us.

"It is always hard picking a team and Hogg and Watson were unlucky to miss out but we have a big game coming up and there could be a completely different make up against New Zealand."

Ponting believes his whole squad including spinner Hogg will have a part to play in the group matches along what he hopes will be the path to the final The Oval next week.

"We cannot look beyond our next game but the aim is to win the tournament and to have a strong squad with a few options is vital. "On the evidence of the United States match our pace bowlers are in form which is good news for us with New Zealand coming up."

The Australians reported no injury problems after the win over the United States and they will choose a team after looking at the state of the pitch and taking unsettled weather into account. -AFP