Ponting happy to blow off cobwebs and Kenya

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said yesterday it was good to get out in the middle against Kenya and "blow some cobwebs off" after more than two weeks with very little cricket

Ponting happy to blow off cobwebs and Kenya

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said yesterday it was good to get out in the middle against Kenya and "blow some cobwebs off" after more than two weeks with very little cricket.

The defending champions, whose win takes them through to the World Cup quarter-finals, scored 324 in their 50 overs and Kenya never looked like catching them, finishing on 264 for six to lose by 60 runs.

"Bit of rust on the team today, even with the batting. We got 320 but a few of us were a little bit rusty and needed some time in the middle," said Ponting.

"We've done plenty of training. We needed to be out there today to blow some cobwebs off and we've done that," he added. "Full credit to Kenya. I thought they fought the game out particularly well. They batted very well."

And the skipper said he was delighted to have Michael Hussey back in the squad, as a replacement for the injured Doug Bollinger.

"Great to have Huss back around the squad. He fitted back in beautifully today and played the way we know he can play," said Ponting.

Hussey, who made 54, said the team could still improve in many areas.

"Canada is going to be another good hit out for us but Pakistan is going to be a huge game down in Colombo and we should be starting to try and peak around that stage as well," he said, referring to the final two group matches.

Kenya skipper Jimmy Kamande said despite success for his batsmen "at the end of the day we came out second. It's a bit disappointing."

u00a0"It was a bit disappointing not to see Collins (Obuya) get a 100 against the defending champions." Obuya finished 98 not out.

But he said: "It's the top 14 teams at the World Cup so if you don't enjoy the moment then I don't know when you're going to enjoy it."

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