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Practice makes perfect: Australian players celebrate the wicket of Indian opener Gautam Gambhir at the World Cup warm-up match in Bangalore. Photo: AP
RICKY Ponting's prediction he would be fit for the World Cup looks set to be proven correct, with the captain returning from a six-week injury lay-off for Australia's overnight practice match against India.
The relaxed rules for the match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium allowed both teams to use all 15 squad members. While Ponting could theoretically have avoided taking the field, to protect the left little finger he broke in the Perth Ashes Test, he started on the ground and remained there as Australia passed up the chance to tinker significantly.
Despite the unofficial status of the match Australia's approach was ruthless, forcing the tournament favourite to slump to 8-138 by the 30-over mark of its innings after deciding to bat first in favourable conditions.
The match marked the return of Australian captain Ricky Ponting from injury. Photo: AP
Ponting spent the majority of India's innings at mid-on and mid-off. While such a move would be unusual for a Test match, for one-day matches Ponting regularly leaves slips duties to Shane Watson and Cameron White.
When Ponting played with the broken finger during the Boxing Day Test against England he explained fielding was more of a problem for him than batting. He subsequently had the finger operated on, which sidelined him through the entire one-day series against England.
The other two Australian players under injury clouds, Brad Haddin (knee) and Steve Smith (hip), were both left out of Australia's 11-man batting line-up. Their last chance to dispel their injury concerns in match conditions will come tomorrow, when Australia returns to the Chinnaswamy for its final practice match, against South Africa.
Australia's unfashionable decision to rely on a pace-focused attack for the World Cup got an early endorsement last night with every Australian bowler contributing to the strong start to the tour.
India's formidable batting line-up was almost universally tamed, with Virender Sehwag (54 off 56 deliveries) the most notable exception. The resting of Shaun Tait had no impact as second-string seamers Doug Bollinger and John Hastings - particularly the latter - pressed their claims for a supporting role in the Australian attack.
The Australian hierarchy also had reason to be encouraged by the performance of Jason Krejza. While the off-spinner was expensive early and allowed Sehwag to bring up his half-century with a towering six over long-off, he maintained his nerve to throw the very next ball up as well, which the right-hander chopped onto his stumps.
Practice makes perfect: Australian players celebrate the wicket of Indian opener Gautam Gambhir at the World Cup warm-up match in Bangalore. Photo: APThe relaxed rules for the match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium allowed both teams to use all 15 squad members. While Ponting could theoretically have avoided taking the field, to protect the left little finger he broke in the Perth Ashes Test, he started on the ground and remained there as Australia passed up the chance to tinker significantly.
Despite the unofficial status of the match Australia's approach was ruthless, forcing the tournament favourite to slump to 8-138 by the 30-over mark of its innings after deciding to bat first in favourable conditions.
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The match marked the return of Australian captain Ricky Ponting from injury. Photo: APWhen Ponting played with the broken finger during the Boxing Day Test against England he explained fielding was more of a problem for him than batting. He subsequently had the finger operated on, which sidelined him through the entire one-day series against England.
The other two Australian players under injury clouds, Brad Haddin (knee) and Steve Smith (hip), were both left out of Australia's 11-man batting line-up. Their last chance to dispel their injury concerns in match conditions will come tomorrow, when Australia returns to the Chinnaswamy for its final practice match, against South Africa.
Australia's unfashionable decision to rely on a pace-focused attack for the World Cup got an early endorsement last night with every Australian bowler contributing to the strong start to the tour.
India's formidable batting line-up was almost universally tamed, with Virender Sehwag (54 off 56 deliveries) the most notable exception. The resting of Shaun Tait had no impact as second-string seamers Doug Bollinger and John Hastings - particularly the latter - pressed their claims for a supporting role in the Australian attack.
The Australian hierarchy also had reason to be encouraged by the performance of Jason Krejza. While the off-spinner was expensive early and allowed Sehwag to bring up his half-century with a towering six over long-off, he maintained his nerve to throw the very next ball up as well, which the right-hander chopped onto his stumps.
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