Ricky needs to put India debacle behind: Waugh

Asia Pacific News.Net
Friday 21st November, 2008 (IANS)

Sydney, Nov 21(IANS) Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has advised Ricky Ponting not to get distracted by the recent criticism of his captaincy in India and asked him to focus on the ongoing series against the touring New Zealand team.

Australian batsmen were troubled by New Zealand in the ongoing first Test at Gabba. Waugh said the Aussies have struggled to make adjustments on a pacy track after after playing on slow, low wickets in India.

'Ricky needs to move on and let it go, even though it's probably eating away at him. He now needs to draw a line through the Nagpur Test and get the spring back in his step,' Waugh wrote in his column in Daily Telegraph.

'If he continues to defend his actions, his mind will be distracted and his team vulnerable to attack from sides now sensing a fragility not seen since the mid-1980s.'

Waugh was appreciative of the New Zealand performance and felt that despite their player exodus to the Indian Cricket League, they have been able to put up a good show against the baggy greens.

Australia were dismissed for 214 in their first innings and have been reduced to 131 for six in their second at Gabba.

'Too many dismissals (Australian) were to expansive drives, suggesting muddled thinking and lack of application - or perhaps a packed schedule that didn't allow enough time for players to adjust to varying conditions or fully overcome jetlag.

'Somehow the Kiwis invariably manage to compete against Australia, even after an exodus to the rebel Twenty20 league and injuries to key players, ' he said.

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