'Today wasn't our best cricket' - Ponting
Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne speak to the press after completing a clean sweep against Pakistan
Peter English
05-Jan-2005
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After scoring a fine double-century Ricky Ponting was
overlooked for the Man of the Match in favour of
Stuart MacGill, who took eight wickets in his comeback
match. Ponting expected Australia would return to its
usual four-bowler line-up for the tour of New Zealand,
but was satisfied with playing two spinners and
batting Shane Watson at No. 7. Shane Warne concluded
his international summer with 4 for 111 and was
looking ahead to a Pura Cup return with Victoria.
Ricky Ponting
On rating the summer
We've played some very good cricket and we've played some that hasn't been our absolute best. We get ourselves in trouble but we get out of it very quickly - we've done it in both the series [against New Zealand and Pakistan].
We've played some very good cricket and we've played some that hasn't been our absolute best. We get ourselves in trouble but we get out of it very quickly - we've done it in both the series [against New Zealand and Pakistan].
On winning the third Test
Today wasn't our best cricket, we didn't bowl all that well. Letting them get 60 runs ahead wasn't our best.
Today wasn't our best cricket, we didn't bowl all that well. Letting them get 60 runs ahead wasn't our best.
On the Warne-MacGill partnership
They are different types of bowlers. You can still bowl them together and have confidence that they are not going to be scored heavily against at each end. It's very enjoyable having them both in the side.
They are different types of bowlers. You can still bowl them together and have confidence that they are not going to be scored heavily against at each end. It's very enjoyable having them both in the side.
On why their results improved in this match
I thought they bowled better. In different times during the game they were trying to work in a partnership and that might have been the difference.
I thought they bowled better. In different times during the game they were trying to work in a partnership and that might have been the difference.
On Shane Watson's debut
He fitted into Test cricket really well and did a good job with the ball. He was surprisingly quick, bowling over 140kmph at some times, and he looked comfortable with the bat. In the future I'm sure he'll play a lot more Test cricket.
He fitted into Test cricket really well and did a good job with the ball. He was surprisingly quick, bowling over 140kmph at some times, and he looked comfortable with the bat. In the future I'm sure he'll play a lot more Test cricket.
On using the same balance in the future
Maybe, maybe not. It's unusual for us of late to play two legspinners. Going to New Zealand, the wickets will probably be flatter and won't turn as much. Playing two legspinners is unlikely, so we'll probably go back to a more structured line-up.
Maybe, maybe not. It's unusual for us of late to play two legspinners. Going to New Zealand, the wickets will probably be flatter and won't turn as much. Playing two legspinners is unlikely, so we'll probably go back to a more structured line-up.
On resting players for the one-day series
They will be at different stages. I'd like 14 players in the squad like we did for the Chappell-Hadlee Series. We've played nine Tests in 13 weeks so it is pretty taxing.
They will be at different stages. I'd like 14 players in the squad like we did for the Chappell-Hadlee Series. We've played nine Tests in 13 weeks so it is pretty taxing.
Shane Warne
On his bowling
It's nice bowling on this wicket. I was happy with my bowling, but I thought I was a bit inconsistent. I put that down to being the end of the summer and being a little bit weary. Another summer gone and another summer closer to the end. That's my summer gone, but now I can concentrate on Pura Cup cricket for Victoria.
It's nice bowling on this wicket. I was happy with my bowling, but I thought I was a bit inconsistent. I put that down to being the end of the summer and being a little bit weary. Another summer gone and another summer closer to the end. That's my summer gone, but now I can concentrate on Pura Cup cricket for Victoria.
On coming back from his ban
I've played 13 Tests since I came back and got 75 wickets so I believe I'm bowling as well as I ever have. I do feel fitter, fresher and more relaxed - my attitude is completely different. I've had another good summer.
I've played 13 Tests since I came back and got 75 wickets so I believe I'm bowling as well as I ever have. I do feel fitter, fresher and more relaxed - my attitude is completely different. I've had another good summer.
On bowling with MacGill
It worked pretty well. Out of the 18 wickets we got 13, on a wicket like that the spinners should get at least half the wickets. Having Shane Watson in the side helped, we generally only have four bowlers so the quicks didn't get over-bowled. Normally in that sort of situation I'd bowl 40 overs but I bowled 24 or 25 in the first innings. That worked pretty well.
It worked pretty well. Out of the 18 wickets we got 13, on a wicket like that the spinners should get at least half the wickets. Having Shane Watson in the side helped, we generally only have four bowlers so the quicks didn't get over-bowled. Normally in that sort of situation I'd bowl 40 overs but I bowled 24 or 25 in the first innings. That worked pretty well.
On the comparisons with MacGill
Stuey and I get on fine. I think the comparisons are unfair on Stuey. When we both play in a Test we enjoy chatting to each other and talking about the match. For me it's the same mindset. We're lucky, when we bring in a spinner, that we've got Stuey.
Stuey and I get on fine. I think the comparisons are unfair on Stuey. When we both play in a Test we enjoy chatting to each other and talking about the match. For me it's the same mindset. We're lucky, when we bring in a spinner, that we've got Stuey.
On Pakistan's performance
They've made 650 runs in two hits so I think they're playing pretty well. Making that many runs, you are going to win a lot of games. Where it got away from them was Gilly and Punter's partnership, and the way Gilly got his runs so quickly. A lot of people say we should declare earlier, but sometimes it's only half-way through the Test by the time we're a couple of hundred runs ahead.
They've made 650 runs in two hits so I think they're playing pretty well. Making that many runs, you are going to win a lot of games. Where it got away from them was Gilly and Punter's partnership, and the way Gilly got his runs so quickly. A lot of people say we should declare earlier, but sometimes it's only half-way through the Test by the time we're a couple of hundred runs ahead.
On Shoaib Akhtar
He gave his heart out and tried his best in the series. He's the fastest bowler in the world and got a couple of five-fors. He's obviously not as fit in this Test or he would have bowled more than 15 overs.
He gave his heart out and tried his best in the series. He's the fastest bowler in the world and got a couple of five-fors. He's obviously not as fit in this Test or he would have bowled more than 15 overs.
On Danish Kaneria
Danish Kaneria bowled extremely well, he's a real talented bowler and I'd like to see him settle down a bit more rather than rushing his bowling. Maybe he could change his line because he bowls a little bit outside off stump, which the batsmen can leave.
Danish Kaneria bowled extremely well, he's a real talented bowler and I'd like to see him settle down a bit more rather than rushing his bowling. Maybe he could change his line because he bowls a little bit outside off stump, which the batsmen can leave.