Ponting laments "diabolical" performance
Ponting was the victim of one of cricket's greatest ever upsets
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Thursday, 13, Sep 2007 09:00
Australia captain Ricky Ponting slammed his side's "diabolical" performance and mental approach to the game as he saw minnows Zimbabwe produce a surprise victory in their opening match of the World Twenty20 in South Africa.
The Wallabies slumped to a below-par score of 138-9 from their 20 overs in Cape Town, as Ponting himself disappointed with eight runs from 15 balls.
Middle-order batsman Brad Hodge top-scored for the Australians with 35 not out, but his efforts were in vain as Zimbabwe's bowlers, fielders and batsmen put in an inspired display to produce a genuine shock.
"I think it's a mental thing for us," Ponting said as the Zimbabweans continued to celebrate their historic win.
"We've got to start respecting the game a little more and think about what we have to do."
The Australian skipper, who earlier this week was awarded the Test captain of the year and Test player of the year prizes by the International Cricket Council, said his team's batting performance was not good enough.
"We have been outplayed, no doubt about that," he added.
"Our top order has been diabolical, even in the practice games here, and you cannot afford to get off to those starts - that is where we lost the game."
Zimbabwe's man-of-the-match, batsman Brendan Taylor, anchored home the underdogs' innings with an unbeaten 60 off 45 balls and described the team effort as "an all-round brilliant performance".
The result means England can knock the favourites out of the tournament if they defeat Australia in their next match on Friday.