Preparations for final test not ideal, says Ponting

By Sanjay Rajan

NAGPUR, India (Reuters) - Preparations for Australia's final test against India have been less than perfect as neither team have been able to practice at the match venue, captain Ricky Ponting said.

Australia trail the hosts 1-0 in the four-match series going into Thursday's final encounter at a new stadium. The world's top ranked team are looking to avoid their first series defeat in three years.

"It is not ideal preparation, especially on a venue that has not been used in international cricket before," Ponting told a news conference on Wednesday.

"You'd like to get there and understand the wicket a little bit more. But that's what you've got."

Both teams have practiced at the old stadium the last two days.

"I believe that the training facilities at the test venue aren't ready yet. But it is the same situation for the Indian players.

"It is a pretty unusual situation for us to be in."

Australia have not lost a series home or away since the 2005 Ashes in England.

India won the second test at Mohali by 320 runs. The first and third tests were drawn.