Australian captain Ricky Ponting admits he couldn’t be happier to see his side peaking at the right time, a point they have been planning towards for some time.
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| Ricky Ponting celebrates his century AFP |
After dispatching England with consummate ease in their Champions Trophy semi-final showdown at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday night, Ponting praised his troops for their ability to perform at their peak at the right time.
"Right from the start of the England series we were focusing on being well prepared for the Champions Trophy and being in a position where we could play our best cricket when we needed to and we did that today," said Ponting.
"To have Michael Clarke and Nathan Bracken not take any part in the Champions Trophy and this relatively young side make it through to the final is a good achievement in itself, but we won't be happy until we peak in the final," he added.
The skipper himself was in supreme form on the night, smashing 111 off 115 balls in a record-breaking 252-run partnership with Shane Watson. Ponting conceded that he felt he was back to his old self after enjoying a brief break following the conclusion of the Ashes.
“I’ve felt really good since the break after the end of the Ashes series, since I’ve come back I’ve felt like I’ve been batting really well and felt in control more importantly,” he explained.
“When you’re out there batting or out there leading the side you always want to feel in control and I’ve certainly felt that in the last couple of weeks.”
The knock saw Ponting become only the third player to score more than 12 000 runs in one-day cricket.
Man-of-the-match Watson, who scored a rollicking 136 off 132 balls on top of claiming two English scalps earlier in the day had endured a rough patch of late with the bat, failing to score in three of his last four innings.
“It wasn't a good start batting wise at all so it was good to be able to get going today,” said Watson.
“Ricky helped me a lot out there, especially in the middle periods when I was finding my feet, and then it was great to be able to bring it home. It's really nice when you have these days when it all comes together.”
Australia now face either Pakistan or New Zealand in the tournament final on Monday. -
Julia Harris in Centurion |
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