Ponting fumes over training facilities in Kotla

New Delhi:

Australia captain Ricky Ponting was an angry man on Friday after a watered practice pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium here hampered the visitors' preparation for Saturday's crucial third one-dayer against India.

Australia, who arrived in the capital last evening, were scheduled to practice from 10 a.m. till 1.30 p.m today, but when they arrived at the stadium they were shocked to see a watered practice pitch.

Ponting said the wicket was completely soggy and was not in a condition to be used.

"I was disappointed when I had a look at the practice wicket which has been watered this morning," he said.

"Everyone in the world except the groundsmen knew we were coming for training and when we came it was completely unusable. By the time India will arrive wicket will be fine and it's a disadvantage for us," Ponting added.

India will take on Australia in the third one-dayer here tomorrow with the seven-match series levelled at 1-1.

Australia won the thrilling series opener in Vadodara on Sunday but riding on Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 107-ball 124 India thumped the visitors by 99 runs to level the series.