CWB series-Ponting backs bowlers over coach

Captain Ricky Ponting says Australia's successes in the triangular one-day series are as much to do with their ability as struggling opponents.

The world champions have seen off England and New Zealand twice each.

Coach John Buchanan said on Wednesday his bowlers had not been properly tested because of poor batting.

But Ponting argued his players deserve more credit, saying: "It might just mean our bowlers are going well and we haven't got too much to worry about."

The highest score made against the Aussies in their four games was the 242-8 England managed in the opener.

"The batting efforts of our opposition are not assisting our bowlers' development"

John Buchanan

Writing on the Cricket Australia website, Buchanan claimed the one-sided matches were not helping his team prepare for their defence of the World Cup in March.

"I do not believe there has been too much quality batting displayed," he said.

"Our ability to deliver yorkers, length balls, bouncers, variety balls has not been placed under constant scrutiny by an opposition batting line-up.

"In essence, the batting efforts of our opposition are not assisting the development of our bowlers' one-day skills and the decision-making that accompanies being placed under the microscope of competition."

"They are good players who they are knocking over"

Ponting on his bowlers

But Ponting said those claims could be more about piling pressure on England - who have won only one match in Australia - and made his disagreement with his coach plain.

"I know if I was in the England dressing-room it would make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, that's for sure," the skipper said.

"I am not sure if John is trying to use that as a motivational thing for us to make sure we keep our foot on the accelerator or not. But they are his opinions and he is entitled to have them.

"If you look at the way Brett Lee bowled the other night, I don't think I have ever seen anyone bowl as well as that with the new ball - it was unbelievable.

"Nathan Bracken has been terrific for us for two years and they are good players who they are knocking over."

"Hopefully we can turn that around and stretch them ... if that's what he wants"

Paul Collingwood

Australia's next match in the Commonwealth Bank Series comes against England in Adelaide on Friday.

England batsman Paul Collingwood said it was hard to disagree with Buchanan's assessment.

"We're probably not [strong enough] at the moment, but hopefully we can turn that around and stretch them ... if that's what he wants," Collingwood said.

New Zealand dismissed Buchanan's comments, with chief executive Martin Snedden saying there was no need to respond.

"I'd imagine the players read it with a bit of interest, and it may even provide a little bit of motivation for them," he said.

"But I don't think you're going to see any sort of major reaction from our camp."