**Captain Ricky Ponting heaped praise on Shane Watson after his second successive century saw Australia to victory in the Champions Trophy final.**Watson, who smashed 136 not out against England, hit an unbeaten 105 in the six-wicket win over New Zealand.
“The hundred he made against England was outstanding but this one tonight, in the situation he was in, doesn’t get much tougher than that,” said Ponting.
“Especially when you are chasing small totals and lose early wickets.”
Watson’s innings was all the more impressive after Australia were reduced to 6-2 inside 14 deliveries chasing a modest target of 201.
He compiled an assured 128-run third-wicket partnership with Cameron White and brought up his fourth career one-day hundred with two successive sixes off spinner Jeetan Patel.
“Losing two early wickets set us back a bit, but Cameron White and Shane Watson controlled things really well after that,” said Ponting, who was named player of the tournament for his 288 runs at an average of 72.
“We’ve won by almost five overs without using our powerplay, although we were a batsman down as Callum Ferguson (injured during New Zealand’s innings in the field) was not going to be able to bat.”
Australia have lost just once in their previous 12 limited overs matches, winning all five of their Champions Trophy games with the same starting XI.
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“Australia now have the best two all-rounders in world cricket - Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson”
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Ponting is confident his side can continue their excellent form in their seven-match one-day series against India starting 31 October.
“It’s good to have the winning feeling back again, our one-day cricket was great in England and we’ve carried over here,” added the 34-year-old.
"We’ve got a short break before we head off to India for seven one-day games, so it would be nice to keep a similar group of players and perform well over there.
“We’ve been on the road for five months, we’ve had our ups and downs but this is a satisfying way to finish.”
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, standing in for the injured Daniel Vettori, dropped a difficult catch running backwards when White on 14. Had he taken it, Australia would have been in serious trouble at 35-3.
“I only just got a finger on it, let alone hold it,” said the wicketkeeper.
“We met the expectations we had of ourselves and if we keep making finals, we’ll get some silverware sooner or later”
NZ skipper Brendon McCullum
“That was a key point, had I managed to hold on we still had 130 runs to play with. Another couple of quick wickets and Australia would have been under pressure.”
But despite suffering defeat against their Tasman rivals, McCullum said he was content with how his injury-hit squad performed throughout the tournament.
“We’re proud what we have achieved in this tournament, although we’re disappointed not to win, but it’s step forward,” he added.
“We met the expectations we had of ourselves and if we keep making finals, we’ll get some silverware sooner or later.”