Australia will draw from their experiences in Malaysia last month to help cope with the spin-friendly Brabourne stadium pitch in Mumbai in their opening ICC Champions Trophy match, captain Ricky Ponting said on Tuesday.
The world champions, who won the tri-series in Malaysia, meet defending champions West Indies in their first Group A match on Wednesday.
"It is going to be similar to the way we had to play in Malaysia with the wicket conditions over there as well, so we're quite used to playing that way, we've been playing that way for the last few weeks now," Ponting told a news conference on Tuesday.
The Brabourne Stadium pitches have been criticised after batting collapses in both matches of the competition played there so far.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said the pitch was not of international standards after his team were dismissed for 108 while chasing 196 for victory under lights against New Zealand on Monday.
On Saturday West Indies, who opted to bat, were bowled out for 80 against Sri Lanka in the final qualifying match on an adjacent pitch.
"I think what it showed was you just have to work really hard for your runs, you just have to graft it out," Ponting said.
"I think the other teams like New Zealand and South Africa were probably fairly surprised at the way the wicket played.
"With the two games that have been played and how much we have looked at the conditions, as I said, there shouldn't be anything that takes us by surprise."
Ponting indicated that all rounder Shane Watson would open the batting with Adam Gilchrist.
"He has done well in every game that we have given him a chance up there. He gives us a lot with the ball. He actually gives our team a lot more flexibility so I'll be surprised if that changed."
The 25-year-old Watson impressed in his new role in Malaysia, cracking 79 in the match against India.
Ponting said he expected spinners would have a big role to play on Wednesday.
"Seeing the wicket play the way it has we think it will be conducive to spin again," he said.
"We'll have [Brad] Hogg is the side, obviously Andrew Symonds will be in the side anyway. Michael Clarke can bowl pretty handy left-arm spin as well."
