"We've got what we've got now, with the squad. We understand that Mike was disappointed not to be in this squad in the first place.... The medicos and our selectors felt he wasn't fit enough to come away on the tour."
Australia, bidding for an unprecedented fourth successive title and fifth in all, looked awkward against Zimbabwe left-arm spinner Ray Price in an otherwise convincing 91-run victory over the Africans in Ahmedabad that stretched their unbeaten run in World Cup matches to 24 straight games dating back to 1999.
"We know that spin factor will be a big one in this tournament. We know these conditions and know how to play in India or Sri Lanka," Ponting said.
"We need to play better (against spin). We need to be at the top of our game as the tournament progresses and I think are not there quite yet," added Ponting, who reportedly smashed a television set in the dressing room after being run out against Zimbabwe.
For New Zealand, who thrashed Kenya in their opener, the match promises to be a stern test of their World Cup ambitions but Vettori is confident his inconsistent side can raise their game against Australia.
"Australia have proved themselves on the sub-continent a number of times so they are going to be one of the favourites for the tournament," said Vettori. education
"If we are going to do well over here, we are going to have to beat the likes of Australia."
However, Vettori backed the Black Caps top order, which includes powerful hitters such as Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder, to propel New Zealand to what would be a first World Cup crown.
"I really believe our top four, top five can win this tournament for us and I think they will find Australia's pace attack to their liking."
Has laoreet percipitur ad. Vide interesset in mei, no his legimus verterem. Et nostrum imperdiet appellantur usu, mnesarchum referrentur id vim.
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