Ponting delighted with win

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was all smiles today after his side beat the number one ranked side, South Africa, by 83 runs.

“To get through that challenge will be great for us,” he said after their final Group A match was completed yesterday.

“The last few times we’ve been challenged that way, we haven’t performed at our best.

“But I think this time we really kept in there and waited for something special from someone in the field – which is what happened with Shane Watson’s run-out.

“It probably changed the course of the game as much as anything else today.”

“We just wanted to go out there and play a great game today. This win is no more satisfying than any other against South Africa. They’re a good side so whenever we beat them it’s a good achievement.”

“Taking those two points with us and a pretty healthy run-rate as well – it’s an ideal start to the tournament. But that’s all it is for us, it’s one of the games down and we’ve got to focus and turn things round pretty quickly for the big game against West Indies on Tuesday.”

South African captain Graeme Smith, who looked in fine form before suffering from severe cramps, was confident his side would bounce back for the Super 8 stage of the tournament.

“I think the teams who are going to carry two points through are going to have a slight advantage, but we know what we have to do to reach the semi-finals,” he said.

“There’s still a lot of positives we can use. Australia got the victory but I’m sure if we get back together, there’ll be the same sort of fire in the game.”

Australia will take on the home side, West Indies, tomorrow in Antigua and Barbuda. South Africa have an extra day’s rest before their opening Super 8 clash against Sri Lanka in Guyana on Wednesday.