Fri, Mar 16, 2007 page24

• Australia ready for third title assault, Ponting says

  • AFP
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  Australia's 203-run rout of Scotland has given Australia the perfect platform for an assault on a third successive world title, captain Ricky Ponting said.

  "I think we can take a lot from this. We batted, bowled and fielded well and can take it for future games," said Ponting, who hit a 93-ball 113, studded with five towering sixes and nine boundaries, to lift Australia to an impressive 334-6 in their 50 overs.

  They then bowled out Scotland for a paltry 131 in 40.1 overs.

  

  Australia's Shaun Tait, right, bowls against Scotland at the Warner Park Stadium while match umpire Asoka de Silva looks on in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, on Wednesday. Australia beat Scotland by 203 runs in their World Cup Group A game. Scotland were 131-9 in 40.1 overs in reply to Australia's 334-6 in 50 overs.

  PHOTO: AFP

  Australia lost five matches on the trot before heading for the Caribbean, losing their world number one spot to South Africa in the process.

  However, they won both their warm-up games last week including a confident victory over England.

  Ponting admitted there is still a huge gap between the top nations and the minnows.

  "There is a big gap, 200 and something runs is a big gap in one-day cricket. But I wouldn't be surprised if one of the minnow nations causes an upset somewhere along the way," Ponting said.

  The Australian captain praised newest spearhead Shaun Tait and old fox Glenn McGrath.

  "McGrath bowled beautifully, he's made it pretty public he'd like to be taking the new ball at the moment. He's such a great bowler and an utter professional, and you know what you're going to get from him from game to game," Ponting said of McGrath, who finished with 3-14 off six overs coming on as first change.

  "Tait has been pretty good, done what was expected of him and also did well against England last week, four for 30, a real impact bowler for us. We want to use him when we need a wicket or when a new batsman comes to the crease," he said.

  Ponting said he was happy with his batting but was not concerned about India's Sachin Tendulkar's World Cup record total of 1,732 runs.

  "These are things I look back on at the end of my career. I don't worry too much about them now," he said.

  Ponting completed 1,000 runs in his fourth World Cup and now has a tally of 1,111 in 29 matches. He also erased India's Sourav Ganguly's record of 23 sixes in World Cups during this match.

  The Australian captain said he hoped spin was going to play a role on the Caribbean pitches.

  Ponting said explosive all-rounder Andrew Symonds was fast recovering and was eager to play.

  "Symonds was saying on the bus he's ready to play today, but that's him saying that. He'd play with one arm if he could, but he's getting seriously close. There will be some discussion about him playing against the Netherlands," he said.

  "We will continue to monitor his progress," Ponting said.
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