'We achieved what we wanted to achieve'
Ricky Ponting was particularly happy with his bowlers during the two-Test series but was disappointed with the analysis of his declaration in the second innings at Adelaide
Wisden Cricinfo staff
30-Nov-2004
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Ricky Ponting was particularly happy with his bowlers during the two-Test series but was disappointed with the analysis of his declaration in the second innings at Adelaide.
Ricky Ponting
On the series win
We played some great Test cricket over the past two weeks. The way we started with the bat was outstanding here and we've done everything to ensure a win.
We played some great Test cricket over the past two weeks. The way we started with the bat was outstanding here and we've done everything to ensure a win.
On batting on for the declaration
It was deliberate. We wanted to keep them in the field as long as we could and keep them out of the game so they had no momentum whatsoever in their second innings. We worked things out really well and came away with another win.
It was deliberate. We wanted to keep them in the field as long as we could and keep them out of the game so they had no momentum whatsoever in their second innings. We worked things out really well and came away with another win.
On the edginess of crowd as the declaration approached
I was out there copping most of it, but you've got to do certain things. It's not the way I play my cricket most of the time, but it was the way we discussed it and there are different times when individual players are asked to do things different.
I was out there copping most of it, but you've got to do certain things. It's not the way I play my cricket most of the time, but it was the way we discussed it and there are different times when individual players are asked to do things different.
On the criticism of the decision
I can understand the crowd, but I'm disappointed when I read about it because we've entertained a lot better than any other side in the history of the game. One two-hour period of the game and it's all over the papers. We achieved what we wanted to achieve.
I can understand the crowd, but I'm disappointed when I read about it because we've entertained a lot better than any other side in the history of the game. One two-hour period of the game and it's all over the papers. We achieved what we wanted to achieve.
On the bowlers
This group of bowlers is something very special and the way we were able to build and maintain pressure was something very special. They did a fantastic job. The batting was pretty relentless - to bat first and post that score meant New Zealand were never in the game.
This group of bowlers is something very special and the way we were able to build and maintain pressure was something very special. They did a fantastic job. The batting was pretty relentless - to bat first and post that score meant New Zealand were never in the game.
On where to next
We have to keep trying to improve, but for this team there are no boundaries and no limits.
We have to keep trying to improve, but for this team there are no boundaries and no limits.
On not being challenged enough
We were challenged in the first two days at Brisbane and turned things around and had things pretty much our way here. Pakistan are a different side to New Zealand and they are another challenge for us.
We were challenged in the first two days at Brisbane and turned things around and had things pretty much our way here. Pakistan are a different side to New Zealand and they are another challenge for us.
On rotating bowlers during the one-day series
We'll rest a couple of them if we feel they need it. We hope to give the guys who have done a lot of bowling an opportunity to have a few days away from the game. Brett [Lee] will probably get a chance in a few of those games.
We'll rest a couple of them if we feel they need it. We hope to give the guys who have done a lot of bowling an opportunity to have a few days away from the game. Brett [Lee] will probably get a chance in a few of those games.
Glenn McGrath
On the decision not to enforce the follow-on
You've got to look at the context of the game. It was pretty warm the first three days. All the bowlers were looking forward to a break for one, two or three sessions. Looking at the bowlers it was a good decision and we came out with early wickets.
You've got to look at the context of the game. It was pretty warm the first three days. All the bowlers were looking forward to a break for one, two or three sessions. Looking at the bowlers it was a good decision and we came out with early wickets.
On bowlers being rotated for the one-dayers
With the amount of cricket coming up I think they should. I'm just a small fish in a big pool of cricket so I'll just do what I'm told. If there's an opportunity there it will be fine.
With the amount of cricket coming up I think they should. I'm just a small fish in a big pool of cricket so I'll just do what I'm told. If there's an opportunity there it will be fine.