Matthew Hayden insisted Australia felt some pressure when they were asked to chase 172 to win the second Test against Zimabwe for a 2-0 series sweep. The world's unofficial number one batsman needed just 85 balls to hit 101 not out to usher the hosts home.
"Even though it was only a mediocre score to chase, we were still under a bit of pressure," Hayden said.
He finished the series with 501 runs at the remarkable average of 250.5, including a world record 380 in Perth.
Hayden added: "Once we got a partnership going and started to settle in it got to the point where we knew we were going to win the game, so we started hitting out."
Ponting followed up his 169 from the first innings in Sydney with an unbeaten 53 to be man-of-the-match while Hayden was man-of-the-series.
Zimbabwe began the day on 151-4, leading by 54. But they simply did not add enough runs to damage Australia's chances.
Their skipper Heath Streak said: "We actually thought we had a chance, but maybe the guys got a little too excited because we gave away some soft dismissals.
"We really needed to get a 250-run lead so we could maybe apply a bit more pressure.
"But we're happy and we'll learn from this experience. I think we'll be very competitive against some of the lesser teams."
Australian had to operate from the start without three front-line bowlers in Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne.
And they lost Brett Lee early in the match with another injury.
The hosts' captain said: "It was a great performance when you think about it because our bowling stocks were really depleted. But everyone lifted themselves."
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It was a great performance when you think about it because our bowling stocks were really depleted 
