Ricky Ponting Hopeful about ODI Success against South Africa

After losing the two-match Twenty20 series to South Africa, Australian captain Ricky Ponting is now hopeful to bounce back in the upcoming five-match ODI series starting from April 3, 2009. No doubt, after winning the test series by 2-1 margin, Australia was hoping to clinch the twenty20 series as well. However, Ricky Ponting’s men could not stand up to the 20-over games, but the Australian captain is now confident about a strong come back in the ODI series which kicks off with the first ODI being gone underway in Durban coming Friday. Australia is also looking to retain their no. 1 spot in ODI ranking that they lost in earlier in January after being defeated by South Africa 4-1 at home. So, Australian players are also gearing up to take revenge of their 4-1 ODI series defeat at home and this is a very good chance for the Ricky Ponting boys to prove their credential of becoming the no. 1 team in ODI cricket.

Both Australia and South Africa features some of the new faces in the twenty20 series ahead of this year’s Twenty20 world cup which will take place in England. Australia featured medium pacers Brett Geeves and Ben Laughlin, while South Africa brought in left arm pacer Yusuf Abdulla and all rounder Roelof van der Merwe whose match winning 48 runs in the second twenty20 is considered to play a big role behind his ODI debut in the forthcoming ODI series.

Shane Harwood and David Warner have gone back home after the end of the twenty20 series. Both Australia and South Africa would bring about a number of changes in their first eleven for the first ODI. Ricky Ponting has backed left arm pacer Nathan Bracken had a nightmarish performance in Australia’s 17-run defeat in the second twenty20 international as the pacer conceded 44 runs in his 4 overs with one wicket. However, Ponting believes that Nathan Bracken has excellent strength and has backed him for a strong come back in the ODI series, stating that the bowler was little bit of under prepared for the twenty20 game.

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