Clarke backs Ponting as right man to lead in Ashes

Kochi:

Australia's stand-in captain Michael Clarke on Saturday stood firmly behind an under-fire Ricky Ponting, terming him the "right man to lead the country in the upcoming Ashes."

"Ricky is certainly the right man to lead Australia. Think Ricky has been a wonderful player for a long period of time in all forms of the game. He is a wonderful captain and he has batted really well throughout the recent Test series. He was disappointed not to make a century but hopefully he is saving those centuries for the Ashes," Clarke told the reporters during the pre-match media conference.

On the lessons learnt by him out of the Test series, Clarke said, "Definitely the Test series has been helpful. I think it was disappointing to not to get the results we wanted but we had the opportunity to play against the world No 1 team in tough conditions. I think for a player, it is a tough challenge to play in India."

"Conditions are so different in India from the ones you are  accustomed to in Australia. I think we have seen again one of the greatest players of all time, bat like a genius Sachin Tendulkar. I think Nathan Hauritz would have learnt a lot about the difference between bowling in India and Australia. The wickets have less bounce, less carry."

Clarke explained that, I think for me again I have learnt that it is hard to negotiate good spin bowling in India. They had two good spinners in the Test series. You have to be very positive and be confident in your own ability to play the way you want to.

"I think Shane Watson would have learnt a lot about his game. He played really well and made a lot of runs and he will take the confidence into the Australian summer."

"Everybody would have learnt something from this tour. We will be back here again playing in the World Cup in five months time and back for Test cricket soon hopefully."