Australian Captain Advises His Men to Keep Their Cool As the Series Reaches Towards Climax

Australia's cricket captain Ricky Ponting has demanded his players keep their cool after the Mitchell Johnson incident as they try to scrap back from 0-1 down in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series.

Ponting addressed his side after New Zealand's two-wicket win in a fiery series opener in Napier, which saw Johnson fined 60 percent of his match fee for initiating physical contact with Scott Styris, who was stung 15 percent of his match fee.

Key allrounder Shane Watson said Ponting's dressing room message was loud and clear as they look to bounce back in game two of the five-match one-day international series at Eden Park tomorrow.

"Ricky had a chat to let us know that there is a line and no matter what we can't cross it," Watson said.

"It's something that Ricky and the coaching staff are always talking to us about, making sure we don't cross the line, that we are competitive on the field but we can't afford for anyone to get suspended or fined. It's not in the spirit of the game.

"People do enjoy watching two guys in battle, that's what everyone loves to see. I do as a player and a spectator, but you want to make sure you don't cross the line because that's no good for anybody."

Watson is among the more combative Australians, having delivered West Indies captain Chris Gayle a hysterical send-off this summer and also engaged in a slanging match with James Franklin in the tour opener in Wellington.

He was looking forward to resuming his duel with not only Franklin, but a few other New Zealand players after they successfully chased down Australia's 275 for eight.

"Every team you play against there's a couple of guys that you always have a bit more of battle with individually, because they do similar to what you do and you want to test them out and see where they're are mentally."

Watson admitted he had to work hard to keep his emotions in check on the field, especially when his side were under pressure.

He felt he was under control, and in the best batting form of his career after crashing 45 off 31 balls in Napier.

And despite Ponting's words of warning, the rest of the series would still be a tense contest.

"We're always going to be aggressive. That's how we play and how New Zealand play as well. They're aggressive and competitive every time they play.

"But we know there's a line there and we can't cross it. We're going to be doing everything we can, no doubt, within the rules to win because it means so much to us."