Cricket: Ponting says Aussies not distracted by Ashes

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting said he would not let the Ashes series distract him from the job he and his team have to do in New Zealand over the next month.

The Australian cricket team leave for Auckland today ahead of tomorrow's Twenty20 international -- which will be the first time Ponting leads Australia into action in the shortened game.

They also play five one-day internationals followed by three tests against New Zealand on the tour.

Ponting today brushed off suggestions that the series against England in July would potentially take the team's mind off the job.

"I think a lot of the media are talking about the Ashes series," Ponting said at Sydney Airport.

"We know that we have got this very big and vital series to play first.

"New Zealand are a very good side and they are hard to beat in Australia and a lot harder to beat, obviously, over there," he said.

- AAP