Australian skipper Ricky Ponting praised his team’s complete display and said the six-wicket Champions Trophy victory over hosts India on Sunday had been ”reasonably easy”.
”It was a pretty complete game for us,” Ponting told reporters. ”To lose the toss on that wicket and to get to the total was great.
”I thought our bowlers did a great job to restrict them. When we batted tonight we made it reasonably easy,” he added.
World champions Australia restricted India to 249 for eight on a good batting pitch and then eased to victory reaching 252 for four with 4.2 overs to spare.
Damien Martyn top-scored for the second successive game with 73 not out, while Ponting (58) and all rounder Shane Watson (50) capped a splendid top-order show.
Australia’s fast bowlers, led by Glenn McGrath, kept a leash on the Indian innings after skipper Rahul Dravid elected to bat.
The win meant Australia reached the semifinals of the biennial event, the only major tournament they have not won, for the third successive time.
Australia will play New Zealand in Mohali on Wednesday. South Africa meet holders West Indies in the other last four clash in Jaipur on Thursday.
”We just managed to take wickets at regular intervals which didn’t allow India to get away,” Ponting said.
”I thought our bowling in the last six or seven overs was really great today. We didn’t give any freebies away so that was really pleasing for us.
He praised Watson, who has eased into the role as Adam Gilchrist’s opening partner in the tournament and has been impressive bowling seam in the middle overs.
”He’s got a great future, he adds flexibility to the team,” Ponting said. – Reuters