Australia captain Ricky Ponting today said his side was well on course
for a win against India but losing the in-form duo of Matthew Hayden
and Andrew Symonds at crucial stages dashed their hopes.
Ponting said India did well to keep wickets in their hands and rued that his side
could not take a 3-0 lead in the series.
"India played well today. They won the toss on a good
batting wicket and kept wickets at hand. That's one day cricket, we always knew
India would bounce back," Ponting told reporters after the fourth ODI here
today.
"For us, Hayden's dismissal was a big turning point, so
was Symonds'," he lamented.
Hayden struck a run-a-ball 92, while Symonds slammed 75 off
84 balls and threatened to snatch the match away from the hosts.
Ponting felt conceding 39 extra runs also cost the visitors
dearly.
"Yes, there was big discreapancies between the early matches
and today's match and the result is before us to see. I think it happens sometimes
but of course we need to improve on this area." Ponting was happy that
the match went down to the wire and said, "I can't be disappointed for
it was a great game of cricket and the series is alive.
"We conceded runs in the last few overs and that's very
disappointing. But I think India responded well under pressure." Brett
Lee, who troubled Tendulkar in the match, came in for rich praise from his
captain.
"Brett was bowling superb and with genuine pace. The wicket
was little inconsistent but I think any batsman would have struggled against
him today," Ponting said.
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