ADELAIDE: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on Wednesday warned critics not to rush to a judgement about the slipping crown of the world champions after the shock defeat against India in Perth, saying it was too early to declare his team a declining force.
"I think one loss is probably a little bit early to be calling that this team is on the slide. We have had it before. We had it before the World Cup, eight or 12 months ago now, we went through the World Cup undefeated," Ponting said.
"We have just gone 16 Tests matches in a row it has only been done once before by another Australian team. I don't think we have too much to worry about just yet," he added.
Ponting refused to divulge details about the Australian team composition for the fourth and final Test and said he was still to make up his mind on whether to persist with pacer Shaun Tait or bring back spinner Brad Hogg.
"We just have to toss up in our head whether the spin is the way to go or do we try and use pace with variable bounce late in the game," he said.
"I think historically spin has probably been the preferred option for the Australian team to play in most conditions around the world."
"But when you have someone like Taity, a wicket taker like that in the room as well, it gives you lots of options but makes your decision very difficult as well," he added.
But if spin was to be Ponting's option, the Australian skipper said he would try not to put too much pressure on Hogg.
