Ponting keen to prove why Australia are still No 1

Australia are keen to face a World XI next month to prove they deserve to retain their No.1 ranking after their Ashes defeat, Ricky Ponting, their captain, said on Wednesday. Ponting said team members felt they had a point to prove after fierce criticism in Australia following the 2-1 series defeat that handed England the Ashes for the first time in 16 years.

Despite the defeat, Australia remain top of the world rankings and Ponting said the Super Series was a chance to prove the critics wrong and demonstrate the team's credentials. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time," he said. "We've known about it for a long time and after, I guess, the disappointment of the Ashes tour for us, this is our next chance to prove to ourselves and prove to everybody that we're a very good team. Let's not forget we're the No.1 ranked side for a reason. Our performances over a long period of time have ensured we were No.1 and still are No.1."

Jacques Kallis, the South African allrounder, said that the World XI were certainly expecting a backlash from Australia. "[They] may have lost the Ashes series in England but I am certain they will be a totally different side at home," he told reporters in Dubai where the World XI one-day squad met up ahead of their flight to Melbourne. "They are a proud nation that I still feel are the number one side in the world, they know the conditions, will have the crowds on their side and it all adds up to a stiff test for us."

Ponting, meanwhile, also backed beleaguered Australian coach John Buchanan, whose contract expires next month. "I'll always support John," he said, "I think he's been tremendous with what he's done for the Australian cricket team and sometimes undervalued." However, Ponting said it might be time for Australia to employ specialist batting and bowling coaches. "I think that's the way the game is going," he said.

And he agreed with the World XI coach John Wright's assessment that forging team spirit among the superstars of the invitational squad would be a crucial factor in the Super Series. Wright said: "People are going to have to start playing for each other, playing together as a team and enjoying it - that's very important," and Ponting added: "That might be one of the slight advantages we do have over this team who haven't been together and played as a group yet."

The World XI take on Australia in three limited-overs matches at Melbourne on October 5, 7 and 9 and the six-day Test from October 14 at Sydney Cricket Ground. Wright said he was hoping for fine weather in Melbourne ahead of the one-dayers so his players could undergo plenty of practice sessions to shake off any jetleg or off-season lack of fitness.