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“Although
they got an early wicket, when Shane and I were in there
for three or four overs, there just wasn’t much intensity
out there.
“We
played reasonably well out there, but there was a series
on the line and we expected a bit more from the West Indians
at that time.”
-Australia captain Ricky Ponting
ST
GEORGE’S—Australia captain Ricky Ponting is surprised
by the lack of intensity West Indies showed in the third
Digicel One-Day International at the Grenada National Stadium
on Sunday.
Needing a win to keep alive their hopes in the series, West
Indies lost by seven wickets after managing a modest 223
in 48 overs. It was their third successive defeat which
assured Australia of a series win.
West Indies wasted a promising start of 86 in 17.4 overs
and Australia romped to the target in 40.3 overs after a
record second wicket partnership of 190 between Ponting
and Shane Watson.
“I
felt that when they got off to the start and we were able
to drag them back, that was when the real energy was sucked
out of the their team,” Ponting told reporters.
“Although
they got an early wicket, when Shane and I were in there
for three or four overs, there just wasn’t much intensity
out there.
“We
played reasonably well out there, but there was a series
on the line and we expected a bit more from the West Indians
at that time.”
The victory for Australia followed wins by 84 runs and 63
runs in the first two matches and Ponting expressed satisfaction
about the performance of his team.
Having taken an unbeatable 3-0 series lead, Ponting also
wants to end on a high note after the disappointment of
losing the last three ODIs on their 2003 tour when clinched
the series by winning the first four matches.
“I’ve
been pretty impressed. The second and third games were the
two best performances. We didn’t get everything right
from the start and West Indies had us on the back foot for
the first 20 overs,” he said.
“The
way we responded was terrific. I’m really satisfied
the way we have gone. The series has been played in the
way we wanted.
“We
have two matches to go. We’ve been here to the Caribbean
before, being in this situation and lost the last couple
of games. We want to focus on making sure we are right for
Friday’s game.”
The final two matches of the series will be on Friday and
Sunday at Warner Park in St Kitts. (CMC)
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