Put up or shut up, Ponting tells cricket world by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 29th March 2007

 

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said talk of opposition teams having no fear of the world champions will be nothing more than hot air unless they perform on the pitch.

 

Bidding for an unprecendented third World Cup title in a row, Australia began their second phase Super Eight campaign with a commanding 103-run win against hosts the West Indies here Wednesday, in a match spread over two days because of rain.

 

It was a far cry from the form that saw Australia lose five one-dayers in a row - two at home to England in the CB series final and three on the trot to New Zealand in last month's Chappell-Hadlee campaign.

 

This latest success meant Australia, who won all their matches at the 2003 World Cup, had made it four wins out of four so far in this edition.

 

"You hear about other sides saying they don't fear us, don't fear anything we have to offer," Ponting told reporters at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium after a victory set up by Matthew Hayden's Australian World Cup record 158.

 

"It's all right saying that, but you have to go out there and play a certain brand of cricket to back that up. So far they haven't done that."

 

Ponting, clearly amused by the way perceptions of Australia had altered in such a short space of time, added: "Two weeks ago everyone said we weren't frightening. All of a sudden now we are again - it's a funny game.

 

"Our squad hasn't changed in that time.

 

"We have to keep stretching ourselves, and if we keep working hard I can't see any reason why we can't keep improving through this tournament.

 

"We've started pretty well - and I think we've made a few statements along the way."

 

Australia have yet to be involved in a tight finish at this tournament having piled up more than 300 in each of their games with their narrowest margin of victory a still sizeable 83-run success against world number ones South Africa on Saturday.

 

But Ponting insisted Australia raised their game in a tough encounter.

 

"We've been able to beat teams pretty comfortably over the years, but one thing about us is that when the close games have come around that is when we've been at our absolute best.

 

"There are a lot of champion players in this side who are at their best when it gets tight.

 

"I'm very confident we have absolutely all bases covered in this squad."

 

Australia since March last year have conceded the four highest totals by teams batting second in one-day internationals.

 

But Ponting said opponents risked putting themselves under immense pressure if they opted to field on winning the toss.

 

"It is Australia's favourite way of playing, to bat first. There are a lot of teams around the world who are favouring batting second, especially in day games.

 

"Generally in day games, the conditions stay pretty even - the wicket doesn't deteriorate much - and they feel if they can do some damage with the new ball that is their best chance of winning.

 

"But the flip side of that is if you go in and post a big total it is going to take some exceptionally good batting to chase down the score.

 

"Even if they get off to a good start if they lose one or two wickets it can change very quickly. That is the pressure they are putting themselves under by bowling first."

 

Australia's next match is on Saturday against Bangladesh, who caused one of the biggest upsets in cricket history by defeating Ponting's men two years ago in a one-day international in Cardiff.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)