Australia must lift their standards, says Ponting

By Sanjay Rajan

NAGPUR, India (Reuters) - Australia have realised just how high their standards must be if they are to retain their world supremacy following a 2-0 series loss to India, captain Ricky Ponting said on Monday.

India beat Australia by 172 runs in the fourth test on Monday to hand the world number one side their first series defeat since the 2005 Ashes tour to England.

"That's the lessons we've all learned, particularly the younger guys, about how high that level has to be if you want to win tests series in this part of the world," Ponting told reporters.

"The expectations of all of us probably have to go down slightly when you lose some of the great players we've lost but I still expect a certain level of play from the Australian team.

"You don't get to wear the baggy green (test cap) unless you're an exceptionally talented and hard-working cricketer."

Australia have lost bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist through retirements and only Ponting, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich and Matthew Hayden from the current squad had test experience in India prior to this tour.

India moved up to second place in the ICC test rankings and only 13 points now separate them from Australia.

The Indians won the second test at Mohali by a record 320 runs to go 1-0 up in the series. Australia's bowlers then managed to take only 12 Indian wickets in the drawn third test and Ponting gambled by handing off-spinner Jason Krejza his debut in the final test.