BANGALORE: Australia may not start as strong World Cup favourites but the momentum is with them after their recent One-Day International (ODI) success against England, said captain Ricky Ponting.
“At the moment we’re in good shape,” he said. “We’ve got some really good confidence and a bit of momentum around our team. Our lead-up really couldn’t be much better coming into this World Cup, having just beaten a pretty good English side.”
Australia, seeking a fourth consecutive title, lost the recent Ashes to England but bounced back to clinch the following ODI series 6-1. Ponting said he was not worried his side was not considered as favourites despite enjoying the top ranking in ODIs.
Australia have not been beaten in their last 29 games (one tied) since their last World Cup defeat to Pakistan at Headingley in 1999. “I’m not sure if there’s a really hot favourite going into this tournament. I don’t really care where we start the tournament. It’s totally irrelevant.”
Ponting however conceded India and South Africa “are probably two of the outstanding teams”. He also said he was hopeful of playing in tomorrow’s opening warm-up game against India despite having missed the ODIs against England due to a broken finger.
They open their campaign against Zimbabwe in India on February 21.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2011.
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