PTI We want to remain No. 1, says Ponting

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Link: http://sify.com/sports/cricket/fulls...hp?id=14784761

The aura of invincibility maybe wearing thin but Ricky Ponting vowed Australia would do whatever it takes to remain the number one team in both the Test and limited over formats of the game.

Ponting, who received the ICC One Day International Championship shield from ICC Principal Adviser IS Bindra here on Sunday, said Australia has set high standards and the challenge before his team was to maintain that and cement its place as the number one team in the world in both forms of the game.

"Great challenge lies ahead in Test and one day cricket ... We have set some great standards over the last couple of years and the target is to maintain the standard and to remain the number one team in both forms of the game," Ponting said.

The high expectations from the players and an excellent work ethic would help Australia retain its place at the top, said Ponting.

"We have certain expectations, we need to play that brand of cricket. We'll continue to challenge ourselves and find out how individual players can be better as can be the team. There is a good work ethics in the team and hope we can continue that in all series," Ponting said.

Having lost the shield to South Africa last year, the team under Ponting went on to win 25 of the 34 ODIs - with three no-results - since April 1, 2007 to win back the shield. "It means a lot to the Australian cricket team. Last time, we stumbled on the last hurdle and actually relinquished the shield to the South Africans.’’

"It has been a great year for Australia in one day cricket. Lot of great individual performances and lot of great team performances along the way. This is certainly what the Australian team strives to achieve," Ponting said.

ICC Principal Adviser IS Bindra congratulated Ponting on the achievement and said, "I'm happy that the Aussies have come at the top of the table again. For a while, they lost it to South Africa. They bounced back, won their series and white-washed the West Windies. They always bounce back when they are under pressure. I wish them all the best for the upcoming Test matches.’’

[itduzz]

Aus have to beat Pak in Pak to remain # 1

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by itduzz Aus have to beat Pak in Pak to remain # 1

Did that last time we toured

[itduzz]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie Did that last time we toured

lost before that...

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by itduzz lost before that...

By one wicket after Healy missed a stumping and it went for byes....

[Momo]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie By one wicket after Healy missed a stumping and it went for byes....

But Pakistan won.

[itduzz]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie By one wicket after Healy missed a stumping and it went for byes....

but u lost by record margin in india recently....

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by Momo But Pakistan won.

Yes they did. Was apparently a great series but we never got to see it here.

Warne destroying Pakistan then Malik destroying Warne.

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by itduzz but u lost by record margin in india recently....

And?

[itduzz]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie And?

and aussies invented the under arm ball to win games...

[natalia]

Originally Posted by itduzz and aussies invented the under arm ball to win games...

but it was only used for one delivery.

[skr30]

Originally Posted by natalia but it was only used for one delivery.

so far.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by skr30 so far.

Will not happen again, rules have been amended!! Thank goodness for that or else punter may have been swayed ......

[Zohaib Shah]

Pakistan Vs Australia!!!!!!!!!!!! PIMPEN

[SalaamPakistan]

I am not even interested with Pakistan - Australia no more. Look at the weak side - Australia, it won't be same feeling just in case if Pakistan beats Australia. Beating Australia before the WC 07 would have been pleasure to watch

[Bublu Bhuyan]

I can't wait for the 3rd Test to start.