Ashes a major challenge for Aussies - Ponting

Ricky Ponting says the Ashes series starting in November remains a major challenge for Australian players despite their recent domination of England.

Australia has won the past seven series, including a 4-1 drubbing in England last year by Steve Waugh's team.

But Ponting said on Friday: "Any time we play England it's a big one for us as Australian players."

"They would probably say exactly the same thing," he added.

"There's no doubt that they are going to be extra keen to come out and knock off Australia.

"It's the biggest Test series for us, and probably on a par with South Africa now."

The International Cricket Council Test championship, introduced last year, ranks Australia number one, with South Africa second and England fifth.

Australia's recent Ashes successes has led to suggestions that the series could be brought into line with most other series by being shortened from five or six matches to three.

England last won the Ashes in 1986-7, since when Australia have recorded 24 victories to England's six, many of those in 'dead rubber' matches.

Ponting, though, Australia's one-day captain, said he had been a keen viewer of England's on-going test series against India.

"(Michael) Vaughan and (Graham) Thorpe had injuries in the Ashes series last year," Ponting said.

"Vaughan is playing well, (Andrew) Flintoff's doing well, they've got a couple of new quickies who have looked okay.

"They're a good side. They just haven't performed well against Australia in the last few series." England currently lead their four-match series against India 1-0, with the third Test starting next week.

CUP DEFENCE

Australia will host England for a five-test series, followed by a triangular one-day series including Sri Lanka and the World Cup.

Ponting, just back from a foot injury, added: "We're going to consciously from now on not talk too much about the World Cup. That will look after itself when it comes around."

Ponting, 27, was elevated to the captaincy of the one-day side when Steve Waugh was dumped for the South Africa series in March this year.

Ponting, though, said he had learned a lot from Waugh and would not discount the chances of the 37-year-old Waugh twins forcing their back into the one-day side for the World Cup.

Mail Cricket Editor