Ricky Ponting was pleased by the way Australia fought back on the final three days of the third Test against India.
Ponting takes positives from Delhi draw
Ricky Ponting was pleased by the way Australia fought back on the final three days of the third Test against India.
The hosts piled up 613-7 declared after opting to bat first and looked on course for a series-clinching win.
But Australia's batsmen responded in kind - the top four all notching half-centuries before Michael Clarke compiled his eighth Test hundred to get them up to 577.
The match petered out into a stalemate on the final day, which was mainly notable for India captain Anil Kumble's decision to retire from international cricket.
"We had our backs to the wall from stumps on the first day," said Ponting.
Terrific
"But I am proud with the way we stuck at it in this Test match. Our batting through the game has been terrific.
"We probably got the worst of the batting conditions on that track, but our application and our skills through the remaining three days has been pretty good.
"There were a few positives to come out from this game for us. Brett Lee has improved through this game and Michael Clarke and Matthew Hayden are amongst the runs. So there's some good things heading into Nagpur."
Australia go into the final Test in Nagpur on Thursday needing a victory to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
But Ponting believed a positive result would still have been possible one way or the other on the final day at the Feroz Shah Kotla, had India shown more intent in their second innings.
"They didn't seem to have a lot of purpose about their batting today," he noted.
"Coming into the ground this morning, there was a real possibility for either team. There was chance that a really good game of Test cricket could have been set up.
"But they chose to bat the way they did. They probably played their cards last night by sending Ishant Sharma in [as nightwatchman]. But this has been an enthralling game for different reasons."
Australia have failed to bowl India out twice in the series so far and Ponting knows his bowlers need to improve.
"I think we got a lot better in the second innings," added the Tasmanian.
"We adjusted things really well. But I think we still have some work to do. If we happen to lose the toss in Nagpur we have to make sure the other team doesn't go on to make 600. If they do then you're pretty much out of it from that moment onwards.
"But we stuck at it well and will take the positives out of it from this game going into Nagpur.
Homework
"I'm sure the bowlers are looking to put their feet up for a couple of days. They had a lot of bowling to do in this match and they would be looking forward to a couple of days off.
"The rest of us have our a bit of homework to do I guess. We have to look at ways to take 20 wickets in the next Test to win the game."
VVS Laxman, who along with Gautam Gambhir scored a double century in the first innings to set up India's mammoth total, said he was thrilled to have scored runs against such high-quality opposition.
"I've always enjoyed batting against them and it's always a pleasure when you get runs against a top team and a top bowling attack," said Laxman, who is set for his 100th Test cap in Nagpur.
"In the context of the game it was important that we pile up a huge total in the first innings and Gautam and I were able to contribute. It's unfortunate that we were not able to win this game, but I think the entire team put on a good show.
"It was important to get used to the wicket. It was slow and it took time to adjust to the pace of it. But once you got in, it was difficult for the bowlers to get you out."
