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Ponting: Aussies to bounce back
03/03/2008 08:01 - (SA)
Sydney - Australian captain Ricky Ponting says he is certain the team will bounce back strongly after their surprise loss to India in the opening tri-series final.
For the second year in a row, Australia face defeat in a competition they have dominated for many years, having also been upset by England last season.
The six-wicket defeat on Sunday leaves India needing only a win in Brisbane on Tuesday, or in Adelaide on Friday if a third match is required, to clinch the title.
It has been a long and tough campaign for the Australians, with off-field issues sapping almost as much energy as the cricket, but Ponting said his side would lift again.
"The resilience of our team is unquestionable," Ponting said after Sunday's loss.
"We've been in this position before and we pride ourselves on the way we play in finals and I think you can expect us to bounce back pretty quickly."
Ponting revealed he had some harsh words with his team after the game. "It was a bit of a kick in the backside.
"It was not all nice stuff, as I said after the game in Melbourne, I thought we were a bit off the pace down there and I thought that was because we were excited and looking ahead to this game.
"So I sort of let them know you can't just switch things on and off in this game.
"You have got to be there right to the end, right through a summer and right the way through a series.
"I thought that down in Melbourne (on Friday night) we took our foot off a little bit (in the loss to Sri Lanka) and expected we would bounce back today. We didn't bounce back as I would have liked.
"I've already spoken to the guys about that, and I'm expecting a better performance from us on Tuesday."
- AFP
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