Confident skipper Ponting rallies Aussies for Ashes opener

AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting is confident his team will not repeat their mistakes of four years ago when they begin their defence of the Ashes today.

Despite excellent contributions from veterans Shane Warne – who claimed 40 wickets in the series – and Glenn McGrath – with 19 victims in just three appearances – the Australians could not avert a 2-1 defeat.

Although the current crop have far less experience than their 2005 predecessors, however, Ponting is anticipating a better collective effort.