Cricket WC: Muted Ponting praise as Aussies bow out

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Muted Ponting praise as Aussies bow out

MELBOURNE: Ricky Ponting has subdued calls for his dumping as captain with a stoic overdue century despite Australia making their earliest exit from a World Cup in almost two decades, newspapers said on Friday.

Under-fire Ponting made 104 -- his first international hundred in 13 months -- in Australia's total of 260 for six, but it wasn't enough as India finished on 261 for five to win their quarter-final in Ahmedabad Thursday with 14 balls to spare.

Ponting has now presided over the end of Australia's 12-year run as World Cup champions after his third Ashes series defeat to England earlier this year.

Although the Australian cricket public still want Ponting, 36, to go as skipper -- 65 to 35 percent in one newspaper poll of 10,000 fans -- he looks to have bought himself more time in the job, the press said.

"Ricky Ponting's spot in the Australian cricket team is safe for now but his side's glorious World Cup era is over after losing their quarter-final to India," the Daily Telegraph said. (AFP)