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We will be doing our best to defend title: Ponting

Source:PTI
September 24, 2009 09:21 IST

Ricky Ponting seemed confident ahead of their Champions Trophy opener against a depleted West Indies.

The 34-year-old arrived in South Africa after leading Australia to a 6-1 series win in England and shot down suggestions that his team considered the fortnight long competition as just another tournament. 

"It is the second biggest one-day tournament and we will be doing our best to win it. We have been playing some very good one-day cricket," the Australian captain said.

"The Champions Trophy is going to be a very tight tournament because there are some very good teams taking part and Sri Lanka have already caused a surprise.

"I regard Sri Lanka as one of the top ODI teams and once they put on more than 300 runs it was always going to be hard work for South Africa," Ponting said.

Ponting conceded there were some weary Australians after Test, ODI and Twenty20 series in England and criticised the length of the ODI series in particular.

"There are some tired bodies in our camp at the moment so we will have a rest today and start preparing tomorrow for our first tournament match on Saturday.

"Every other team is in South Africa playing practice matches while we are finishing off this series. We know the reasons for it, but seven games head to head is too many," Ponting said.

Source: PTI
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