Ponting won't be fooled by 'jelly' pitch report

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is determined not to be fooled by Edgbaston's 'jelly' pitch report that similarly had ruined their Ashes dreams four years ago and said he would better wait and watch this time.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is determined not to be fooled by Edgbaston's 'jelly' pitch report that similarly had ruined their Ashes dreams four years ago and said he would better wait and watch this time.

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In 2005 Ashes Tests, Ponting was flayed for bowling first without injured pacer Glenn McGrath after concerns that heavy rain would make the pitch a minefield.

Four years down the lane, Ponting finds himself in a similar situation with Edgbaston's groundsman Steve Rouse claiming that heavy rain has delayed the preparation of the pitch for the third Test and the wicket is a bit like a jelly.

But the Australian skipper said this time he will assess the pitch early next week before forming any notion.

"That's what we got told last time. That's the reason we ended up bowling first in 2005," Ponting was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.

"We were told exactly the same thing for the week leading up. There had been a cyclone and a tornado that had gone through Birmingham and wicket preparation was miles behind.