Ponting confident Aussies will recover

Source: Agencies  |   2008-11-12  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

HEAVY criticism of his captaincy in the fourth test and series loss to India has stung Ricky Ponting, and he's vowing to take out his frustrations on New Zealand and South Africa.

Ponting returned to Sydney yesterday and faced the domestic media a day after his Australian lineup was beaten by 172 runs in the fourth test at Nagpur and went down 0-2 to India in the series.

The top-ranked Australians need to rebound quickly, with a two-test series against New Zealand starting next week in Brisbane and three home tests against South Africa starting next month before a return three-test series in South Africa.

"I've got total confidence that we can bounce back and that we can win every test we play in Australia this year," Ponting said. "Just seeing the look on some of the guys faces on the plane, there is genuine excitement about moving on from the Indian series.

"It's important we put that series behind us as quickly as we can."

It was Australia's first test series loss since 2005 in England, when Ponting's squad surrendered the Ashes for the first time in almost two decades.

None of the batsmen hit top form and the bowling attack lacked penetration in India, the absences of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath more obvious than any time since the veteran pair retired from international cricket.

"We have to play at a higher level than we did through the India tour, there's no doubt about that, and there's no excuses and there's no reason why we can't," Ponting said.

Former Australia captain Allan Border and India allrounder Ravi Shastri were among the critics of Ponting's decision to try and boost the flagging over-rate on the penultimate day when Australia had gained the upper hand rather than push for quick wickets.

India regained control while Australia's strike bowlers were idle.