Put us in, if you dare – Ponting to rivals😊
By Jon Pierik
Ricky Ponting has warned rivals they risk cricket suicide if they continue to put Australia in to bat after his side improved its unbeaten ICC CWC run to 22 games over eight years.
Australia has not lost an ICC Cricket World Cup match since it was humbled by Pakistan at Headingley in the preliminary rounds of the 1999 tournament in England.
And it's 103-run win over West Indies on Wednesday suggests the streak is far from over.
The world champion next plays Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Saturday, then faces England a week later.
New Zealand showed during the Chappell-Hadlee series last month that Australia could be vulnerable defending a large total, but recent efforts have erased that thought.
South Africa's decision to bowl first in St Kitts was exposed last weekend, while West Indies was powerless as Australia - piloted by a brutal Matthew Hayden century - hit 6-322 on Tuesday before play was rained off.
The pressure proved too much for the host when play resumed yesterday, as it was dismissed for 219.
West Indies likes to bat second, but captain Brian Lara may have to reassess that thought if he wins the toss against Australia if the teams play each other in the semi-finals.
"I think it's probably well known that Australia's favourite way of playing is to bat first," Ponting said.
"I certainly don't worry about batting first.
"I think there are a lot of other teams favouring bowling first, particularly in day games, because they probably feel that if there is going to be something in the wicket, it's there in the morning.
"I think generally during games, conditions stay pretty even.
"The flipside is if we happen to play well and bat well and post big totals, it's going to take exceptionally good batting to chase down those scores."
Australia, with another Hayden ton, powered to 6-377 against the Proteas, who then started well but fell away.
That match marked the fourth time in as many innings that Australia had passed 300.
"In a run chase like that, if you lose one wicket or two in a quick period, the game changes completely," Ponting said.
"That's the pressure they are putting themselves under by bowling first."
Ponting has been delighted with the all-round effort of his team, which needs just three more wins in the Super Eights phase to be all but guaranteed a semi-final berth.
The only concerns are the form of batsman Mike Hussey, who has had a frustrating maiden ICC Cricket World Cup, and Andrew Symonds, who is still feeling his way with the bat after biceps surgery.
Ponting feels he has "absolutely all bases covered", and that was obvious against a West Indies team, which, on paper, had a deep batting order.
Spearhead Shaun Tait (2-43) made the vital early breakthrough with a trademark yorker to spear out former captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul before Glenn McGrath (3-31) snared Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels attempting to slog the veteran quick.
Spinner Brad Hogg - rarely seen in the Commonwealth Bank tri-series last summer - has emerged as a major part of the ICC Cricket World Cup attack.
He finished with 3-56, dismissing Lara lbw after the batting prince was deceived in flight.
Lara was rarely troubled in his effortless 77 and later rued a lack of composure from his top order.
Ponting is adamant that his team can handle the pressure of tight finishes - if they eventuate.
But he believes the comprehensive victories will have sent fear into future opponents.
"You sit back and read and listen about other sides saying they don't fear us," he said.
"We have started the tournament really well and I think we have made a few statements along the way."😳
😃
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Health and Fitness
Sports
3