Happy that truth is slowly coming out: Ponting

A couple of developments over the last 24 hours have added an extra dimension to the Australia-New Zealand game. The first was the decision to make this a one-off game for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, and the other, the extremely saddening news of the earthquake in Christchurch.

Trans-Tasman face-offs have always been intense affairs, but the tragedy back home has cast a shadow over the game. The New Zealand physio and fitness trainer have both had to head home in the aftermath of the earthquake, and I met a couple of guys from the team at the breakfast on today, and they said that their families and friends were safe.

I have known Brendon McCullum over the years, and we spent some time together during the first season at the IPL as part of Kolkata Knight Riders, so I did text him yesterday, as soon as I received the news and he replied that his family was safe. We will observe a minute's silence and wear black armbands as a mark of respect and support for the people of New Zealand.

As I said earlier, New Zealand-Australia clashes are always taken as big games for both sides. I know New Zealand have been going through a rough patch, but I've always respected them as a top side that most times makes it to the semis of top tournaments. That said, I am also very proud of the record we have against them and will be ready to extend that.

We know that there is a good chance that Daniel Vettori will open the bowling with spin and we are quite equipped for that challenge. Nagpur is a venue where I have played a lot of cricket and from the recent string of scores there, tomorrow's game promises to be a high-scoring one.

Before our opening match all I asked from the team was for a solid start, and that we did get against Zimbabwe. There was some assistance for spin in that wicket and possibly that's a sign of things to come. We are confident against spin and have players who excel against it so we are well prepared on that front.

Clearly, we did not play our best game against Zimbabwe, and I would have liked to see some of the guys capitalize on the starts they made. However, it's good to start quietly in a long tournament, and that is exactly what we did.

I was, rather unexpectedly, the talking point of the match after rumour had it that I had taken a bat to the dressing room television. I was really surprised because nothing that dramatic happed. Fortunately, the truth is now slowly coming out, and it was just the protector bouncing up and hitting the television. I immediately informed the manager and we apologized as soon as the incident took place.

I am a reasonably bad tempered bloke when I get out, but I don't recall causing any damage in the dressing room even as a schoolboy cricketer. I am too old to start that kind of thing now!