World Cup: Ponting ton helps Aussies reach 260 against India

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AHMEDABAD: Skipper Ricky Ponting’s classic century guided Australia to set a target of 261 runs for India in the second quarter-finals of the tenth World Cup here at the Sardar Patel Stadium on Thursday.

Batting first after Ponting won the toss, defending champions Australia made 260 for six in their 50 overs.

Ponting made 104 from 118 balls with seven fours and a six, his 30th ODI hundred and the fifth in World Cups.

It was also his first century in 39 international innings since he made 106 against the West Indies in a one-day international in Brisbane last year.

The 36-year-old Tasmanian, who had managed just 102 runs at 20.4 in five previous innings this tournament, had come into the match amidst reports he could be quitting international cricket completely after the World Cup.

He was out late on when, he reverse-swept Ravichandran Ashwin straight to Zaheer Khan at short third man.

David Hussey, recalled in place of the dropped Steven Smith, made a useful 38 not out and helped Ponting add 55 for the sixth wicket after Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey and Cameron White all fell cheaply.

Back-up spinners Ashwin and Yuvraj Singh took four wickets between them with left-arm quick Zaheer taking the other two to fall.

But lead off-spinner Harbhajan Singh's 10-wicketless overs cost 50 runs.

Australia got off to a steady start through openers Shane Watson and Haddin but a change of ends for Ashwin had them roaring again when he bowled Watson for 25.

Later, Haddin gave his wicket away by driving Yuvraj to mid-off where Suresh Raina took a low, tumbling catch to leave Australia 110 for two.

Haddin was the second top scorer with 53. Together with Ponting, he shared a second-wicket stand of 70 runs.

India made one change from the side that beat the West Indies by 80 runs in their final group match in Chennai, bringing in Virender Sehwag, fit after recovering from an allergic reaction to a painkilling injection in his knee.

He replaced dropped all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, with Suresh Raina retaining his place.

Australia made one change from the side that lost to Pakistan by four wickets -- a defeat that ended their 34-match unbeaten run at the tournament dating back to 1999.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Steven Smith was dropped and his place was taken by David Hussey.