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Ponting plays down chances of remaining unbeaten
Bulawayo, Feb 24: Australian captain Ricky Ponting has played down suggestions that his side could go through the World Cup unbeaten, despite their impressive start to the tournament
Bulawayo, Feb 24: Australian captain Ricky Ponting has played down suggestions that his side could go through the World Cup unbeaten, despite their impressive start to the tournament
The West Indies achieved the feat in 1975 and 1979 but that was in the days of an eight-team event with just three qualifying matches, a semi-final and a final.
If Australia are to match that feat it would mean 11 straight wins, and although they have looked awesome in disposing of Pakistan, India and the Netherlands, Ponting refused to look that far ahead on the eve of the world champions' Group A match against Zimbabwe.
"We haven't spoken about it," he told reporters following a practice session at the Queen's Park Ground on Sunday afternoon. "All I do know is that we are playing very good cricket, there is a great feeling amongst the team and individuals are really putting their hands up and doing the business and that is all you can ask of a team and any individual player," Ponting added.
"We will just keep preparing ourselves as best we can and take the field with an obvious aim and see what happens from there."
Australia have only ever lost once to Zimbabwe in 19 matches, that defeat coming in their first meeting at the 1983 World Cup, when they were upset by a side inspired by all rounder Duncan Fletcher, now the England coach.
Despite that record, Ponting said he had a healthy respect for the co-hosts, a fact illustrated by the way Australia have opted for what he called "our best line-up at the moment."
Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, fast bowler Brett Lee and wrist-spinner Brad Hogg, all missing from the last match against the Netherlands, are back in the side for Monday's game.
"We have always had a fair amount of respect for Zimbabwe as they are a side that always gives 100 per cent," said Ponting. "They might not be the most talented side in the world but you always get a fight when you play against them. They have got world-class players in their side and we have spoken about them and spoken about the way we want to approach this game so, hopefully, you will see a good and fired-up unit take the field," he added.
That unit delayed its arrival into Zimbabwe by 48 hours and will depart on a chartered flight straight after the match, all measures designed to ease fears over player safety as a result of political and economic tensions in the country.
Ponting said the issue had been off the players' agenda for some time now but it was clearly something the local authorities were taking seriously, as could be seen by the presence of a military helicopter accompanying the team bus from the airport.
"Security has been fairly tight but it is pretty much what we have been used to since we have been in South Africa so there is nothing different there," he said. "We deliberately got a lot of discussion out of the way ahead of the first match against Pakistan so we could focus on playing cricket and doing a good job and we have managed to do that so far."
While security may have slipped from the players' immediate thoughts, there remains the threat of demonstrations against the country's political regime. Ponting said he had no knowledge of the subject.
"We are not aware of any demonstrations going on but I am sure they will be dealt with in the correct and right manner and, hopefully, we can get on with playing a good game of cricket," he said.
If Australia are to match that feat it would mean 11 straight wins, and although they have looked awesome in disposing of Pakistan, India and the Netherlands, Ponting refused to look that far ahead on the eve of the world champions' Group A match against Zimbabwe.
"We haven't spoken about it," he told reporters following a practice session at the Queen's Park Ground on Sunday afternoon. "All I do know is that we are playing very good cricket, there is a great feeling amongst the team and individuals are really putting their hands up and doing the business and that is all you can ask of a team and any individual player," Ponting added.
"We will just keep preparing ourselves as best we can and take the field with an obvious aim and see what happens from there."
Australia have only ever lost once to Zimbabwe in 19 matches, that defeat coming in their first meeting at the 1983 World Cup, when they were upset by a side inspired by all rounder Duncan Fletcher, now the England coach.
Despite that record, Ponting said he had a healthy respect for the co-hosts, a fact illustrated by the way Australia have opted for what he called "our best line-up at the moment."
Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, fast bowler Brett Lee and wrist-spinner Brad Hogg, all missing from the last match against the Netherlands, are back in the side for Monday's game.
"We have always had a fair amount of respect for Zimbabwe as they are a side that always gives 100 per cent," said Ponting. "They might not be the most talented side in the world but you always get a fight when you play against them. They have got world-class players in their side and we have spoken about them and spoken about the way we want to approach this game so, hopefully, you will see a good and fired-up unit take the field," he added.
That unit delayed its arrival into Zimbabwe by 48 hours and will depart on a chartered flight straight after the match, all measures designed to ease fears over player safety as a result of political and economic tensions in the country.
Ponting said the issue had been off the players' agenda for some time now but it was clearly something the local authorities were taking seriously, as could be seen by the presence of a military helicopter accompanying the team bus from the airport.
"Security has been fairly tight but it is pretty much what we have been used to since we have been in South Africa so there is nothing different there," he said. "We deliberately got a lot of discussion out of the way ahead of the first match against Pakistan so we could focus on playing cricket and doing a good job and we have managed to do that so far."
While security may have slipped from the players' immediate thoughts, there remains the threat of demonstrations against the country's political regime. Ponting said he had no knowledge of the subject.
"We are not aware of any demonstrations going on but I am sure they will be dealt with in the correct and right manner and, hopefully, we can get on with playing a good game of cricket," he said.
For Australia, one more win would guarantee them a place in the Super Sixes, while Zimbabwe, after defeat by India, are desperate for a victory to maintain their challenge. Zimbabwe are expected to name their side on the morning of the match with Grant Flower likely to play despite damaging his left index finger against India, although the injury will probably stop him from bowling.
Bureau Report