Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Cricket » Champions Challenge » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Dravid blames it on inexperience
Get Cricket updates:What's this?
Related Articles
Images: India vs Australia
Team India needs more class: Ravi Shastri
Advertisement
October 30, 2006 16:48 IST

Australian captain Ricky Ponting [Images] praised his team's complete display and said the six-wicket Champions Trophy victory over hosts India on Sunday had been "reasonably easy".

"It was a pretty complete game for us," Ponting told reporters. "To lose the toss on that wicket and to get to the total was great.

"I thought our bowlers did a great job to restrict them. When we batted tonight we made it reasonably easy," he added.

World champions Australia restricted India to 249 for eight on a good batting pitch and then eased to victory reaching 252 for four with 4.2 overs to spare.

Damien Martyn top-scored for the second successive game with 73 not out, while Ponting (58) and all rounder Shane Watson (50) capped a splendid top-order show.

Australia's fast bowlers, led by Glenn McGrath, kept a leash on the Indian innings after skipper Rahul Dravid [Images] elected to bat.

The win meant Australia reached the semi-finals of the biennial event, the only major tournament they have not won, for the third successive time.

Indian skipper Rahul Dravid hoped his young side would learn from the defeat.

"I won't be too critical on this inexperienced side," he said. "They came up against a very good attack and it was a good experience for them.

"We got them off to a flier," Dravid said in reference to Australia's opening partnership from Watson and Adam Gilchrist [Images] of 61 in 8.5 overs.

"Once you got there, it was a fight with our backs to wall. The way they batted, even 270 would not have been enough," he said.

Australia will play New Zealand [Images] in Mohali on Wednesday. South Africa meet holders West Indies [Images] in the other last four clash in Jaipur on Thursday.

"We just managed to take wickets at regular intervals which didn't allow India to get away," Ponting said.

"I thought our bowling in the last six or seven overs was really great today. We didn't give any freebies away so that was really pleasing for us."

He praised Watson, who has eased into the role as Adam Gilchrist's opening partner in the tournament and has been impressive bowling seam in the middle overs.

"He's got a great future, he adds flexibility to the team," Ponting said.



Would you like to join the Cricket and Cricket Lovers Discussion Group and discuss your cricket views with other cricket freaks? Click here. Have fun!

© Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

 Email this Article      Print this Article
© 2006 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback