Ponting keen to end his Indian failures

Ponting keen to end his Indian failures When the series starts Thursday, Australia captain Ricky Ponting is determined to improve his record in India having scored just 172 runs there in 14 Test innings at an average of 12. He has been troubled by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh more than anyone else, as the tricky bowler accounted for Ponting’s wicket five times out of five when they faced off in the 2001 rubber. Since making 60 there in 1998, Ponting has failed to reach 20 in nine attempts. It wouldn’t be such an amazing feat if the man we are discussing wasn’t averaging 58.37 in 119 Tests for India has proven the graveyard for many good players of the past but this is a man who may one day become the highest-scoring batsmen in Test history. The duo will meet again at Bangalore in the first Test this week before continuing their duel in Delhi, Mohali and Nagpur as Australia seek to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In 2004, they won for the first time in India for 35 years. “That first dismissal in the first Test (in 2001) was where it all started for me,” Ponting told reporters recently. “I was always trying to find a different way to play, fearing that one delivery I guess. “The reason for my poor performance was that I didn't trust myself; I didn't trust my technique. I ended up getting stumped or caught at bat-pad sweeping. I tried almost everything and nothing worked. “Every time I tried something, I got out pretty soon after. They are the lessons to be learnt I guess from coming here. I only played one game in 2004 as I was coming back from injury and the wicket at the Wankhede was pretty ordinary.” Ponting is taking a great deal of advice from a great many sources in an effort to listen to that one magical piece of advice that moght just change his fortunes against India in India. Ultimately, he knows that working out his own game himself and sticking to it is what will work best for him, though batting coach on the tour and former Australia great and India coach Greg Chappell has aided him technically. “I have spoken to a lot of guys this week about working out a style of playing you think is going to work for you, and when you have worked it out, making sure you stick to it. “Even if you do get out a couple of times early, you know that if you stick to those things that have worked for you in the past, some will go your way and you will end up scoring some runs. I have to be strong and stick to what I know is going to work.” He added, with a hint of needle against Harbhajan: “Sri Lanka is probably the hardest spinning condition to play in. I have got a record there, as good as anybody, and against a set of bowlers a whole lot more skilled than Harbhajan might be.” Curiously when Harbhajan was asked about his success against Ponting he said he was not sure about it as the Tasmanian had not been in long enough. Such cutting, dry humour is making for quite a contest.

Hussey century gives Australians a chance Mike Hussey’s fighting spirit brought him his 48th first-class century and saved the Australians from a possible follow on in a pre-Test warm-up against the Indian Board President’s XI. On the third day in the four-day game, left-hander Hussey made 126 not out with last man Stuart Clark scoring a crucial 44 in a tenth-wicket partnership that was worth 96. Australia reached were all out for 314 in reply to the Indians’ 455. Without Hussey’s display of obduracy Ricky Ponting’s men may well have been entering Thursday’s first Test at Bangalore with a defeat behind them. Although the match is still far from over, the Aussies may have done enough to stave off an embarrassing reverse. Most of the damage had been done by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who took 5-89 in 40 overs, following up the dismissals of Ponting and Michael Clarke with the wickets of tail-enders Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle on Saturday morning. After Siddle’s departure Australia were 218-9. The Board XI closed on 110-2 with opener Wasim Jaffer unbeaten on 46 and no doubt determined to make a point to the selectors after he was left out of the Test squad.

Ten Sports Exclusive Cricket Rating Sponsor

* TEAM
* BATSMAN
* BOWLER

ODI TEST
Australia
South Africa
England
New Zealand
India
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Bangladesh
Ireland
Australia
South Africa
India
Sri Lanka
England
Pakistan
New Zealand
West Indies
Bangladesh

ODI TEST
Mahendra S. Dhoni
Michael Hussey
Graeme Smith
Ricky Ponting
Moh. Yousuf
S Chanderpaul
Kevin Pietersen
Sachin Tendulkar
Andrew Symonds
Matthew Hayden
S. Chanderpaul
Kumar Sangakkara
Michael Hussey
Ricky Ponting
Moh. Yousuf
M Jayawardene
Matthew Hayden
Kevin Pietersen
Younis Khan
Virender Sehwag

'Fab four under pressure from self'

MS Dhoni believes the 'Fab Four' are more burdened by their own high expectations than the one exerted by fans and experts.

Asserting that senior batsmen -- Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid -- still have a lot to offer, Dhoni said the quartet deserves a graceful exit as and when they decide to call it a day.

"There is more pressure on them because of their own expectation level and the fear of performance because they have set the benchmark so high that to be there always... there is more pressure that comes from within.

"I don't think you can really write them off, they have plenty in them. But at the same time you have to look into the future. It's all about transition, making a respectful last few years in their international career," Dhoni said.

Dhoni, who has impressed the game experts with his cool head and mindful strategies, also defended seniors place in the Test side.

"Do we have an option? We definitely have players who are talented and can make it big, but at the same time, it's not really about talent, their adaptability and preparation matter," Dhoni told an Indian news channel in an interview.

Speaking about the four-Test series against the Australians, Dhoni said the hosts were well prepared to take on the World Champions.

"Preparation wise, I think, we could not have done an inch more than what we have done. It's all about execution of plans and hopefully, the team will adapt and play better cricket," he said.

Dhoni also predicted tough times for the Australians if the pitches for the series favour spinners. "If it is a normal Indian wicket that starts to turn may be from the tea session, then it will be tough for them. They will have to apply themselves to get the runs."

Dhoni, however, insisted India were not depending on just its spin to trouble Australians and said the hosts had an equally potent pace-attack raring to go.

"It's not that we do not have quality fast bowlers. They have taken up the responsibility, they have pulled up their socks. We have quality spinners as well. We do not need to say anything about Harbhajan Singh or Anil Kumble.

"We are comfortable playing on any surface whether it is a spinner-friendly surface or a seamer-friendly surface," he said.

Dhoni said becoming only the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to receive the country's highest sporting honour -- the 'Khel Ratna' -- was a 'special' feeling but it has also put him under pressure to perform at the same level next year.

"Khel Ratna is very special. That's the biggest sports award that I have got till now and nothing comes next to it. So it's real pleasure to get the Khel Ratna award.

"But the tough part to it, is to play cricket well again in the next year and try to get the award. But at the back of the mind, it's not about getting an award -- it's about playing some good cricket and helping the team to win," he said.