“It is important to get it all in perspective, we had a good win last week but it has been only one Test,” the Australian captain said on Tuesday, a little after confirming that the same eleven as MCG would play here. “The standards we set in the first Test were terrific, we have got some sort of momentum but we start afresh tomorrow. If we sit back, India are a good enough side to get the momentum on their side. It is important to start well again, be it with bat or ball.

“This is one venue in Australia that suits India's style of play the most. You get a really good feeling when you come to a ground where you have had success,” he said, referring to India scoring 700-plus at the SCG last time around.

Praise for Lee

“But I would like to think we are better equipped this time to not let them get so many. Sachin made 240-odd last time, and he was striking the ball beautifully in Melbourne. He is usually good at summing up the conditions and situations. Saying that, Brett (Lee) has bowled well to him recently. He set him up beautifully in the second innings and had success against him in the one-day series in India as well. It is shaping up to be a pretty good battle.”

Australia are a win away from equalling their own world record 16 straight Test wins.
“The only thing wrong about discussing it too much is that it takes the fcous away from what you have to do,” said Ponting, who has told his team to put the imminent record in perspective.

Milestones

“You don't want to cloud your mind thinking of too many things. We are getting close as a team to some great milestones, but you need to win 600 contests a day to win a day's play, and you need to do it over five days to win a Test. I did mention the record at the team meeting today to gee up the boys, but we don't want to be talking too much about it.”

Ponting gave his take on India's batting at the MCG. “I don't know if it was a defensive mindset thing. A lot of it had to do with the way our bowlers bowled. Early in their first innings, there weren't too many scoring opportunities. You must give credit to our bowlers for the way they kept the pressure on. It won't surprise me if they bring in Sehwag here and leave Jaffer out so that Dravid is under less pressure to keep the board ticking over,” he pronounced.

His take on the pitch? “It looks particularly good,” he smiled. “There is a bit of grass and I expect it to play better than last week. It will probably do something in the morning, but the sun will dry it out quickly. The Indian batsmen have got concerns, but not necessarily because of the pitch.”