Ponting expecting tough battle

Mumbai: With his trophies all kept away and the Ashes anxiety pushed behind, Australia skipper Ricky Ponting is all geared up to face the West Indies today.

He acknowledges the fact that they are no longer an unpredictable team.

Gulf News: Does the fact that you lost to the West Indies in the first match give you some anxious feelings?

Ponting: We haven't taken that defeat as a big setback.

It was our first match of the tournament and we were not quite ready for them. They were better prepared for the match after having played in the qualifiers.

There is a general feeling that the West Indies are an unpredictable team. Do you subscribe to that too?

They may have been unpredictable before this tournament.

But in this tournament they are very predictable and have put up a good show in all their matches. All their players have been very consistent.

It is not just their top batsmen who are in form, but the team as a whole is performing very well.

So you will be relying on your pace once again to get the breakthrough?

The wicket does not really look to be assisting pace. I have a feeling it might help spinners.

So we might consider playing Cullen or Hogg.

What would be your team's approach to the game?

Since this is the final game, we cannot afford to lose early wickets.

All the same, it is important to get their early wickets.

How much will you focus on Lara?

They are no longer a oneman team. Our focus will be on all their players. In the match against us, even Runako Morton played very well.

There has been an overall improvement in their team and all the players are contributing equally now.