'I knew a big score wasn't far away' - Ponting
It had taken 10 Tests in charge, but Ricky Ponting happily collected his first century as captain with a polished and fluent innings
Peter English
03-Jan-2005
It had taken 10 Tests in charge, but Ricky Ponting happily collected his first century as captain with a polished and fluent innings. Ponting felt that a small change in technique helped his turnaround. He spoke to the press at the end of the day's play.
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Ricky Ponting
On reaching his century
I've been saying all along that I felt I was batting well and a big score wasn't far away. It was nice to spend a long time at the crease and walking off the ground my feet were sorer than they've been for a while - that's a good sign.
I've been saying all along that I felt I was batting well and a big score wasn't far away. It was nice to spend a long time at the crease and walking off the ground my feet were sorer than they've been for a while - that's a good sign.
On making his first hundred as a captain
I've been a bit worried about not scoring one for the whole calendar year last year. As far as getting the first one as captain out of the way, I haven't been thinking about that. It's mainly because the side's been so successful that I didn't feel the pressure to get one as skipper.
I've been a bit worried about not scoring one for the whole calendar year last year. As far as getting the first one as captain out of the way, I haven't been thinking about that. It's mainly because the side's been so successful that I didn't feel the pressure to get one as skipper.
On changes to his game
I've worked hard over the last couple of weeks with a few technical changes to get my balance right and to get my weight going through the line of the ball. That's one of the keys for me when I'm batting well.
I've worked hard over the last couple of weeks with a few technical changes to get my balance right and to get my weight going through the line of the ball. That's one of the keys for me when I'm batting well.
On how his innings progressed
Once I got passed 30 I really felt in. The wicket is very true and is turning a bit, but for the seamers there's not much on offer. Once the batters got in it was important to go on and make a big score.
Once I got passed 30 I really felt in. The wicket is very true and is turning a bit, but for the seamers there's not much on offer. Once the batters got in it was important to go on and make a big score.
On Australia's plan
We're in an extremely good position and the wicket's going to be extremely difficult to bat on last. We've had a very good day today and we hope to capitalise on that tomorrow. Getting another 100 runs would be a great result - it would be hard for Pakistan to get back into the game from there.
We're in an extremely good position and the wicket's going to be extremely difficult to bat on last. We've had a very good day today and we hope to capitalise on that tomorrow. Getting another 100 runs would be a great result - it would be hard for Pakistan to get back into the game from there.
On Matthew Hayden's indifferent form
All batsmen go through that at some stage. Matthew had such a dream run over the past three or four years that there was going to be a stage where it wasn't going to be as easy for him. I've just been through a similar type of thing. It's amazing how spending a bit of time in the middle can change it all around for you.
All batsmen go through that at some stage. Matthew had such a dream run over the past three or four years that there was going to be a stage where it wasn't going to be as easy for him. I've just been through a similar type of thing. It's amazing how spending a bit of time in the middle can change it all around for you.
On Danish Kaneria being reported for sending off Michael Clarke
I've only just found out about it and when it happened I was at the other end. I was totally unaware of it.
I've only just found out about it and when it happened I was at the other end. I was totally unaware of it.
On Shoaib Akhtar bowling only 10 overs
It's a good contest when he bowls. It probably wasn't the contest I thought it might have been. There must be something wrong [or an injury] because even today his pace was down on what it's been in the first two games.
It's a good contest when he bowls. It probably wasn't the contest I thought it might have been. There must be something wrong [or an injury] because even today his pace was down on what it's been in the first two games.