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Australian captain Ricky Ponting has praised the nation's next generation of players ahead of Friday's one-day match against South Africa at the SCG.
Following the 1-2 test series defeat to the Proteas, the national side has won the two-match Twenty20 series 2-0 and the five-match one-day series is locked at 1-1 heading into the Sydney match.
With the likes of Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson sidelined, Ponting was happy with the performances of his new brigade.
"The cricket we have played in the first two one-dayers has been pretty good as well," he said today.
"So I think we have actually done a remarkable job if you look at all the blokes that are out and you are playing against South Africa who are a pretty good one-day side and for us to do what we have done shows a lot about the next generation of players."
Australia's playing stocks have been boosted for Friday`s match with Mitchell Johnson returning after being rested from the last four limited-overs matches.
- AAP
