Ricky Ponting fervent to replicate his 2006-07 Ashes performance
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 captain Ricky Ponting wants to lead his side from the front as the latest episode in the 133-year old Ashes Australia-England rivalry begins in Brisbane on Thursday, 25th of November.
Ponting, who is considered as the most dangerous wicket, by the English attack, is eager to play a key role in the outcome of the 2010-11 Ashes series starting with a big score in Thursday's opener.
During England’s last Ashes tour Down Under in 2006-07, Ponting kick-started the most celebrated rivalry with a 196-run innings in the opener, which served as a catalyst to Aussies’ 5-0 series whitewash.
During the last Ashes series Down Under, Ponting compiled a tally of 576 runs from five Tests at an average exceeding 82, with two centuries and two half-centuries.
"I've always focused on making sure that I am right for that first innings of a series. I feel I've got a big say in how this series develops after the first innings of a series”, said the 35 year-old, who will be playing his eighth Ashes
series.
"I've worked hard for the last eight weeks to be right to go for tomorrow. Hopefully, there'll be another hundred around the corner tomorrow", added the Australian skipper, struggling for his side’s victory over the past few months.
The last Ashes Down Under had seen Ponting scoring a 196 in the opener followed by a 142-run innings in the second Test in Adelaide. Looking back at his performance in the corresponding Ashes series, Ponting felt himself fit and energetic
for another such series.
The home skipper, however, did not agree with the importance of the 1st hour performance saying Test cricket is about five tough days and most of the Ashes games in the recent past “have been decided at crucial moments long after
that first hour of the first Test match”.
Despite negating the impact of the first hour on game results, Ponting said his side will do its absolute best to win that first hour when the historic rivals face off each other on Thursday morning.
The Australian skipper is also hopeful to exploit the Gabba conditions tomorrow as it is the venue where Australia has not faced a defeat for the last 22 years.
"This is our turf especially here in Brisbane. We play great cricket here and we have done for a long time", said Ponting.
Tags: