AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting praised the Rose Bowl after his side's comprehensive nine-wicket win against the United States.

Ponting and the rest of his World Cup winning squad have been based at the Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth since arriving last week.

A scheduled practice match against Hampshire at Bournemouth's Chapel Gate Sports ground was rained off last Friday but Ponting has given the thumbs up to the facilities West End.

He said: "It's a lovely ground and a great venue and we've really enjoyed our time down here.

"The practice facilities out the back and on the main ground have been first class and we've certainly made the most of those, so we've certainly enjoyed our time down here at Hampshire cricket Club."

It was a quiet return to the Rose Bowl for Michael Clarke, who took harder catches for Hampshire earlier this summer than the chance he dropped off Brett Lee in the first over.

Clarke, who bats at number seven for Australia in limited overs cricket compared to his top four presence for Hampshire, would have been unlikely to bat even if the Americans had bowled first.

But he would have felt at home in the home dressing room.

Another former Hampshire batsman - Matthew Hayden - was the only Aussie to lose his wicket, while all-rounder Shane Watson was left out of the side altogether.