Ponting laments changing nature of Australian pitches

PERTH, Dec 13 (Reuters) Expectations that the WACA pitch, once regarded as the fastest and bounciest wicket in the world, will be slow and flat during the third Ashes test, has alarmed Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.

The WACA has traditionally suited fast bowling but complaints about shortened matches and changes to the soil content had turned the once ferocious pitch into a batsman's paradise.

Last year's test between Australia and South Africa faded into a draw and there are fears this week's Ashes clash between Australia and England could also end in a stalemate if the pitch is again lifeless.

The first two Ashes tests were played on batting-friendly wickets and Ponting said he feared Australia's pitches were in danger of losing their unique characteristics.

''I've spoken for the last three or four years now about how a lot of our wickets and grounds seem to losing a lot of their character,'' he told a news conference today.

''The beauty of Australia is how you get contrasting conditions in different states.

''What I don't want is to have all the grounds losing their character and becoming very, very similar. It's not good for the game I don't think.'' When England last toured Australia four years ago, the home side wrapped up the Ashes in just 11 days with the first two tests in Brisbane and Adelaide lasting four days each and the third match in Perth ending on day three.

But the first two matches of this series have both gone into the fifth day and Ponting said he wasn't counting on an early finish in the West Australian capital.

Ponting inspected the WACA pitch on Wednesday morning and while there was a generous covering of grass and moisture underneath, he said he expected the wicket would dry up after baking in the sun for days on end.

''It might be a bit slow the first morning. The weather through the game is supposed to be quit nice, mid 30s, so I think it will harden up reasonably quickly,'' he said.

''There is a bit more moisture in it than most times here and with a bit of grass on it so first morning it might be a bit slow, there might be some bounce there.'' REUTERS SAM BST1529