Ponting urging fans to show love for team
AUSTRALIA’S greatest run scorer believes the struggling One Day International side can bounce back in Adelaide and set up a series-deciding clash in Hobart on Sunday.
Former Test skipper Ricky Ponting has joined fellow Tasmanian and current Test cap- tain Tim Paine and Cricket Tasmania chief Nick Cummins in urging fans to flock to Blund- stone Arena for the third ODI.
A less than half full Optus Stadium watched Australia’s capitulation to South Africa on Sunday and the side will be desperate to bounce back at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Victory would see the series locked 1-1 heading into Hobart, and Ponting is well aware Tasmanians must continue to sup- port international content if matches are to be scheduled here in the future.
“I know the boys are much better than what we saw in Perth, I’m expecting them to improve a lot in Adelaide and set up a final in Hobart on the weekend,” Ponting said.
“It will be a great chance for all Tasmanians to get behind the team and show our support.
“It is also a really good time to show how much we love our cricket and want more internationals played here.”
Tasmania, which is without a Test match for the second season in a row, is facing increasing pressure for international content with the likes of Canberra, Gold Coast and Geelong.