Ricky Ponting believes Australia are overwhelming favourites to win their fifth World Cup when they take on New Zealand at the MCG on Sunday. Speaking exclusively to ESPNcricinfo, he said he doesn't think Brendon McCullum's men "can win if Australia play as well as they can".
"They are both very good teams, but if you just saw them on paper and if you try and see weaknesses in the Australian team, I am not sure where you find one," Ponting said. "Their top-order batting is brilliant, their new-ball bowling is brilliant, their allrounders are some of the best in the world and they are going to play at the MCG, where they know the conditions really well. That's not saying New Zealand can't win, we have seen how good a brand of cricket they can play, but I've just got a feeling that the Aussies won't let a moment like a World Cup final at home slip."
Ponting has played in five World Cups, reached four finals and won three times, twice as captain, and he believes the opposition's eagerness to do "something extra special" was the reason for them to "come undone" while Australia were focused on playing to the level they were capable of.
"They are both very good teams, but if you just saw them on paper and if you try and see weaknesses in the Australian team, I am not sure where you find one," Ponting said. "Their top-order batting is brilliant, their new-ball bowling is brilliant, their allrounders are some of the best in the world and they are going to play at the MCG, where they know the conditions really well. That's not saying New Zealand can't win, we have seen how good a brand of cricket they can play, but I've just got a feeling that the Aussies won't let a moment like a World Cup final at home slip."
Ponting has played in five World Cups, reached four finals and won three times, twice as captain, and he believes the opposition's eagerness to do "something extra special" was the reason for them to "come undone" while Australia were focused on playing to the level they were capable of.