Ponting still proud after setback

Ricky Ponting, the Australia Test captain, will look for a personal change of fortune in India as the tourists attempt a series-levelling win in the second and final Test which starts on Saturday.

The Australians will take the field three days after enduring one of the most heart-breaking defeats in recent history during the first Test in Mohali, which Ponting admitted hurt him badly. India, reduced to 124-8 while chasing 216 for victory, squeezed home by one wicket as VVS Laxman defied back spasms to make an unbeaten 73 and shared a ninth-wicket stand of 81 with tailender Ishant Sharma.

The defeat left a shattered Ponting still looking for his first win as captain on Indian soil, having lost four and drawn two of his six previous Tests at the helm, though he tried to put a brave face on it "It was an amazing game of cricket," he said. "That one I will remember for a really long time even though we lost the game." Michael Hussey, his teammate, added: "We had our opportunities to win, but we couldn't do the job and get over the line. From a positive point of view, we did a lot of things right."

Ponting also has a potential selection headache to take his mind off the disappointment as they prepare for the match at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Doug Bollinger, the fast bowler, who missed the crucial final stages in Mohali, remained in contention after scans revealed only a very minor abdominal strain. A bigger worry for the tourists was the poor form of Marcus North, the No 6 batsman, who made 0 and 10 in Mohali and averages just seven runs from his last six Tests. He doubled up as a second slow bowler as spinner Nathan Hauritz proved ineffective against the Indian batting.

* Agence France-Presse