Australia continued to dominate India in the TVS tri-series. After the victory in Gwalior, the Indian bowlers have been unable to cope with the Aussie onslaught. Bangalore was no exception. The Aussie batsmen attacked and the Indian bowlers wilted.
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting had expressed concern about the repeated failure of his top order. But after this match, he sure is a satisfied man.
"We spoke a lot about the performance of the top order in our team meetings. We had ended up on around 50-60 for 4 a couple of times and it was not where we wanted to be. It was pleasing to see the top order come good and apply themselves as they can. It was really nice to keep wickets in hand and score quickly too," he said, after Wednesday's 61-run victory.
The wicket was a batting beauty and the Australian bowlers also did get a little stick.
"I think our bowlers did a decent job. They [the Indians] were always going to be going for quick runs and the bowlers were going to take some flak. I was very impressed with [Michael] Kasprowicz's first and second spell. He kept it tight in both his spells and that was an achievement in its own right," Ponting said.
"He runs his fingers across the seam and changes his pace and angle of delivery a lot. That makes it difficult to score of easily," he added.
Kasprowicz had come into the side in place off Nathan Bracken, who was given a rest. But his admirable performance with the ball will surely put pressure on the team management.
"For a team like Australia there are always selection problems. It is also a good way for the bowlers to keep pushing each other," said the Aussie skipper.
After 40 overs, India were 250 while the Aussies were 245 at the same stage. Asked if he was worried about the result of the match at that point, Ponting replied, "Not really; they had lost more wickets than us. If I was worried, it was at the 25-over mark when Sachin [Tendulkar] was still at the wicket. He has the ability to score quickly and manipulate the field. Sachin's wicket was the key for us today.
Asked whether the match had its similarities with the Wrold Cup final, Ponting said, "We got off to a quick start; 100 in the first 15 overs, lost a wicket soon thereafter and then went on to pile up a huge total."
Ponting scored a brilliant century, 108 off 102 deliveries, but did struggle initially.
"I was a little tentative to start with, especially against the spinners. But once I reached 20 I decided to go for my shots. You have to take some risks and the situation allowed me to do that," he said.
The Aussies now proceed to Kolkata for the tri-series final, where they meet the victor of the India - New Zealand match in Hyderabad.
So, who would he like to meet in the final?
"We don't worry about the opposition. We play our game and we have seen enough of both teams so it does not matter who we meet," he said.
