Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting believes the trialling of fringe players in the national team during the recent DLF Cup in Malaysia has put it in a great position heading into next month's ICC Champions Trophy in India..jpg)
Australia gained revenge for an early loss in the tournament to the West Indies to win Sunday's final in Kuala Lumpur over its calypso opponents by 127 runs. But along the way, young players such as Mitchell Johnson and Dan Cullen were given a chance to prove themselves on the world stage and it is this fact that has Ponting talking up Australia's chances.
"Looking back over the last few weeks, I think it has been very successful with the experimentation that we have had, trying different guys in different roles," Ponting told AFP.
"It's been a really good exercise. Having had a look at a few extra players in different roles, we have lots of different bases covered for the Champions Trophy."
Ponting said that his side was yet to hit its peak, but with the bowling attack of Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Bracken and Shane Watson looking in good touch, the Aussie skipper indicated the team was in a good position heading into the second-biggest one-day tournament in the world.
"After not playing for four months, I think it's fair to say none of us are yet at the level required to play our best cricket," he said.
"We've got a pretty good structure in place and if each guy looks after themselves and keeps trying to make themselves better day in and day out, then we will go a long way in the Champions Trophy."
The Champions Trophy is one of the few tournaments the Australian cricket team hasn’t won and Ponting made it clear that his side is keen to not only perform well, but win the final.
"It's obviously one we want to win," Ponting said.
"We have been knocked out in the semi-final in the last two Champions Trophies, but we definitely have the squad and the players to challenge seriously this year."
