Ponting encouraged by Oval pitch

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The champions enter the final against Sri Lanka with an unbeaten record in the tournament stretching back to 1999.

"If it (the pitch) has the pace and bounce in it that it had for the last couple of games, it should play into our hands beautifully," said Ponting.

Australia romped to an 87-run triumph over Sri Lanka in the Super Eights, and Ponting believes their opponents missed an opportunity by failing to play a full-strength line-up.

Lasith Malinga was ruled out with an ankle problem but Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas were both rested.

"It's going to be quite interesting against them after they rested a few players last time," said Ponting. "I thought they had a chance to make a bit of a statement against us in that last game and they chose not to by resting three of their best bowlers.

"All of their players have strengths and weaknesses, we just have to pick them to pieces again. Murali will do what he does, Malinga is bowling well at the moment and Vaas is a very good bowler with the new ball."