'Tri-series tougher than World Cup,' says Ponting

Ricky Ponting braces for the TVS tri-series © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting, the captain of the Australian one-day team, has said that the upcoming tri-series in India was going to be more challenging than the 2003 World Cup.

Speaking to the press at Sydney Airport before his team's departure for India, Ponting said: "Going to the World Cup as favourites and defending champions, we were under a fair bit of pressure there as well. But I think the side is going to be tested more this time, with the injuries we've got, to key places to key bowlers especially. It's a big test for us."

Australia will be without Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee, so the inexperience of Nathan Bracken and Brad Williams will be supplemented by old hands Andy Bichel and Michael Kasprowicz.

Bichel himself was aware of Australia's status in the series, as well as the role he would play. "The guys have been there, they've done it and it's going to be a good test for us, but no doubt we are underdogs coming into this," he said. "Going there in this role is good. It's a great feather in my cap, I suppose, to say that this is what I've worked for. This is for all the years of bowling and now I've got an opportunity to get out there and really perform the way I want to."

Australia's opponents will be at near-full strength. New Zealand have been boosted by the return of Chris Cairns for the one-day series, while Sourav Ganguly will only be missing for India's first two matches.

Ponting concluded: "Both sides that we're playing against are very good one-day sides and they've been playing in those conditions for the last few weeks."

Australia will also be on the lookout for a return to form by Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar, by his standards, did miserably in the four innings he played against New Zealand in the Test series, but his average against Australia on home turf stands close to 60. "His record against Australia would be fairly outstanding, so that is a bit of a worry," Ponting said. "But we'll keep our fingers crossed that we can hopefully get him out early."