Ricky Ponting warned Australia on Sunday that the defending champions must learn the harsh lessons of their shattering defeat to Pakistan if they want to stay in the World Cup
Ricky Ponting warned Australia on Sunday that the defending champions must learn the harsh lessons of their shattering defeat to Pakistan if they want to stay in the World Cup.
Australia lost by four wickets to Shahid Afridi's men, a defeat which ended their 34-match unbeaten streak in the tournament stretching back to the 1999 edition.
It could also mean they face a titanic struggle against India in the quarter-finals. Australia went down by four wickets in a hard-fought Group A clash, bowled out for just 176 against a spirited Pakistan bowling attack which was led by Umar Gul who took 3-30. "We have to learn from the defeat and we have to learn quickly," said Ponting, whose team finished third in Group A behind Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
They seem likely to face title favourites India at Ahmedabad on Thursday. "If we play India in Ahmedabad, then you can guarantee the same situations are going to pop up again, and we'll have to handle them a whole lot better than we did against Pakistan," said Ponting.
