NEW DELHI: Australia captain Ricky
Ponting was an angry man on Friday after a watered practice pitch at the Feroz
Shah Kotla stadium hampered the visitors’ preparation for Saturday’s crucial
third ODI against India.

Australia, who arrived in the capital
Thursday evening, were scheduled to practice from 10 a.m. till 1.30 p.m on
Friday, but when they arrived at the stadium they were shocked to see a watered
practice pitch.

Ponting said the wicket was completely soggy and was
not in a condition to be used.

“I was disappointed when I had a look
at the practice wicket which has been watered this morning,” he
said.

“Everyone in the world except the groundsmen knew we were
coming for training and when we came it was completely unusable. By the time
India will arrive wicket will be fine and it’s a disadvantage for us,” Ponting
added.

India will take on Australia in the third ODI on Saturday with
the seven-match series levelled at 1-1.

Australia won the thrilling
series opener in Vadodara on Sunday but riding on Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s
107-ball 124 India thumped the visitors by 99 runs to level the series.