I wanted to play a long innings at Nagpur: Ponting

Prolific run getter for the Aussies and one of the best fielders in the world, Ricky Ponting said he would have been happy if he could have got a hundred in the three-day game against India A at Nagpur which ended on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday, Ponting said "though I got two fifties in the match I wanted to play a long innings so that I get used to the heat and humidity. Surprisingly Nagpur was much cooler than the climate we have back home."

"I wanted to have a good look at the Indian spinners and for me getting runs on Indian wickets is a big challenge", he added. "Indians will certainly miss leg spinner Anil Kumble, who has served his country well, but I am also sure the Indian selectors will find a suitable replacement for Kumble", Ponting said.

Ponting also assured that a very keenly contested series was in the offing and the Aussies were well prepared to meet any challenges this time around.