'Indians are playing old school cricket': Ponting

Bangalore, Oct 8(UNI) Aussie captain Ricky Ponting today said that his new look team will bring a new age dimension to the four-match test series for Border-Gavaskar trophy in contrary to Indian team's 'old school cricket'.

With the first test beginning here tomorrow, Ponting told reporters here today insisted that his team was better prepared than perceived by many. "Pressure will be more on the hosts as home crowd will expect nothing less than domination from them," he said.

Replying to a question, he said that there was no doubt that Indian spinners always pose threat visiting teams. Most opposition teams coming to India faced this challenge.

"But we are well focused and good training in Jaipur and Hyderabad has helped us adapt to the conditions. We will bat well enough to add pressure on the Indian bowlers, as I believe that we are a better prepared team," he said.

About bowling combination which had troubled the captain who is still undecided in choosing among Camaron White and Jason Krejza, he said, "We will play one spinner tomorrow. However, who is going to be in the playing eleven will be disclosed only before the match begins." On Ganguly's retirement plan's and Kumble today saying that this would be his last match in his home town, Ponting said players' retirements can distractions ahead of crucial series.

"The pressure would be on Indians. But for Sourav the pressure has reduced after his announcement and the crowd will want to see him play his last four Test matches. However, there will be more (pressure) on the other four (senior batsmen)," he said.

Ponting opined that the foursome should not retire in one go.

"Eventually the others will move on and within the upcoming few series, they will announce their retirements as well. But it shouldn't happen at once," he said.

He said his team will look to add pressure on the Indian batsmen with good fielding, especially our inner-field fielding. "With guys like Michael Clarke in key fielding positions, we hope to make it difficult for the Indian batsmen to run between the wickets. If we continue to add this pressure, then the batsmen will eventually get run out," he said.

When asked whether former Indian coach Greg Chappell's presence in the Aussie dressing room would be an advantage.

"It is great to have Greg's influence around you. He has been helpful in everything so far. He has given us a lot of insight in terms of the playing conditions and also about few players. It is always great to have a cricketing brains like him around." UNI MSP RS TS1642