Ponting admits that CB series will be competitive

Melborne, Feb 10 (UNI) After being handed a five-wicket loss by a new-look Indian team, Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted that the ongoing triangular series is far from over and said the home team is down but not out.

''It's certainly a good series shaping up at the moment,'' Ponting quoted as saying Sky Sports. ''The next few games in particular are going to be pretty important as far as the series goes.'' Putting up a brave face after today's loss, Ponting said, ''We bowled really well, we fielded well, we kept ourselves in the game for a long time but 159 out there was just never enough.'' Admitting that his side was always struggling against the rejuvenated Indians, he said, ''Our batting was poor. India I thought bowled well and fielded well tonight, so we have some work to do on our batting.'' But Ponting claimed he relished the challenge of defending a low total. ''It's always an enjoyable part of one day cricket when you have got a low total on the board and you have got to try and find ways and means of getting wickets. We tried lots of different things tonight and we stuck at it, but we weren't good enough.'' India have taken over from the World champions at the top of the CB series standings, while Sri Lanka have a game in hand on the top two. Sri Lanka is scheduled to play India in Canberra on Februray 12.

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