Australia demolished the Indian attack on Friday, racking up a record total of 400 for five on the opening day at Adelaide Oval to lay the foundations for a massive first innings total.

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But Ponting, who finished the day unbeaten on 176, said Australia had to be careful they didn't score too many runs despite the temptation to keep batting.

"We're going to have to think about how many are enough," Ponting told a news conference.

"Adelaide is a place where if you get too many runs it can be very hard on the bowlers to keep backing up.

"I think we will have to take that into consideration because it could happen."

Australia famously lost their last series against India two years ago after they won the first Test and forced the Indians to follow on in the second.

The workload eventually took its toll on Australia's bowlers as India piled on a massive second innings total to become only the second team in history to win a Test after following on.

India continued their momentum into the deciding Test to win the series and Ponting said Australia would be wary of letting history repeating itself.

FOLLOW ON

"In the last couple of years we've been able to do that and make sides follow on and it's been hard work for our bowlers and that's something we'll have to consider," Ponting said.

"There's no doubt it's going to be hard work for the bowlers on a wicket like that which is flat and doesn't give them any assistance.

"We'll definitely try and bat on in the morning as long as we can but if we happen to lose one early wicket or two early wickets then the whole game and the thought process changes."

Ponting, who has scored hundreds in 10 of his last 19 Tests, said he was not entirely satisfied by his own form despite scoring half-centuries in both innings of last week's drawn first test in Brisbane.

"I think I can play better, I wasn't happy with the way I played in Brisbane and I got an early life today but after that I was pretty happy with the way I went," he said.

"From a team point of view, five for 400 in the first day of a test match is an outstanding start and it's vital that we get a good start tomorrow and capitalise on that."