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SYDNEY - Australia have named an unchanged side for tomorrow's second cricket test against India, with skipper Ricky Ponting saying the pressure will be on the touring side's batting lineup.
Ponting, who had a rare double failure in Australia's 337-run win in the first test in Melbourne last week, joked today that he was the only player in the side not pulling his weight.
"We are going in with the same team after an emphatic performance last week," Ponting said at today's pre-match press conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"I think everybody except for me at different times played their part last week."
Ponting said although India had enjoyed playing at the SCG in the past, including the drawn test four years ago in Steve Waugh's farewell match, the pressure would be on India's batsmen this week after two scores of below 200 in the Melbourne test.
"I think the Indian batsmen have got some concerns just because of how well we bowled last game," Ponting said, adding that India's slow scoring was caused by tight bowling rather than overly conservative batting.
"The wicket looks particularly good. It has a little bit of grass on it.
"It has just enough grass to be of some assistance (to the pace bowlers) early."
Ponting said he expected India to drop opener Wasim Jaffer and recall hard-hitting right-hander Virender Sehwag to partner the struggling Rahul Dravid.
Indian captain Anil Kumble was reluctant to name a side today, describing Dravid's chances of staying in the opening role, rather than dropping back to the middle order, as "50-50".
"There are a few things in the mind but I don't like to share it now," he said.
Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh is also under pressure to hold his spot after making zero and five at No 6 and showing poor body language while batting and in the field.
SCG curator Tom Parker predicted good batting conditions on days two and three and the spinners to be more prominent late in the match.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Phil Jaques, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee, Brad Hogg, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait (12th man).
- AAP
