Ponting comments good for Akhtar - Woolmer

Bob Woolmer has suggested that Ricky Ponting's unfavourable remarks against Shoaib Akhtar might just backfire on Australia in the third Test, which starts at Sydney on January 2.

Responding to Ponting's comments that Akhtar should have shown more aggression in the Australian second innings, Woolmer told The News: "He [Akhtar] is the one bowler that the Australian batsmen know can decimate them by his pace. We have to remember that, and I'm happy that Ricky is stirring him up. I think it's good.

"Shoaib showed a lot of guts during the game and at a particular stage he was just shattered, basically. He bowled more than he normally does because there were so few bowlers available. He gave it his all for a little bit, and then I think he was probably just tired. To criticise Shoaib is a little bit unfair, but Ponting is entitled to his opinion."

Woolmer reckoned that Akhtar was suffering from a lack of support at the other end. "Most fast bowlers hunt in pairs and when one part of the pair is gone it's very difficult to expect one person to shoulder everything," Woolmer said, referring to Sami's heel injury which severely hampered him during the second innings. "That's why I think Shoaib should develop a short run-up and generate the same sort of pace. Running in so far, you are not going to be able to come back easily unless you're a triathlete and you have that sort of fitness. Shoaib has been working very hard on this trip, and he needs a partner."

Akhtar bowled at only around 137 kmph as Australia easily chased the 126 they needed for victory, and Ponting later questioned his half-hearted attitude, saying: "I would have been very disappointed if I was the captain and that was my bowler running in and bowling like that."

Justin Langer then joined in the debate, hinting that Akhtar didn't go full pelt in that innings: "I don't know whether he had niggles or was still tired from the first innings or they would save him up for Sydney. But Sydney comes and the series is over.

"If we had got into a similar situation we would have had a red-hot dip to make it as hard as possible for them to score 125," Langer stated, adding, "I am not saying they did not do that, but just by looking at Shoaib's body language, it was different to every time I had played against him. From that point of view I am really surprised."