Ponting hints at playing a spinner tomorrow

Mumbai, Nov 4 (UNI) Australian captain Ricky Ponting today hinted that they might play one of the spinners Dan Cullen or Brad Hogg in tomorrow's Champions Trophy final to be played at the Brabourne stadium here.

Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference here, Ponting said the pitches here have helped spinners more than the other three centres (Mohali, Jaipur and Ahmedabad) on which the matches have been held in the series tournament.

''Conditions here have helped spinners more than the other centres. That probably brings Dan Cullen and Brad Hogg into the picture (for the final),'' he said.

Ponting, in typical Aussie fashion, also sought to score some psychological points over the West Indies, suggesting that the pressure of playing a big game might take its toll on the Caribbeans.

The 31-year-old Tasmanian said while Australia were used to playing big games such as the one tomorrow, it remained to be seen how West Indies coped with the pressure of playing a final of the ''second-best'' one-day tournament after the World Cup.

''We have been in this position (do or die) quite often and know how to handle the pressure. Let's see how West Indies cope with the pressure tomorrow,'' said the Aussie skipper.

Ponting felt that the start, whether it be batting or bowling first, was important.

''If we bat first we should not lose early wickets and if we bowl first we should be able to get quick wickets,'' said Ponting.

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