Sydney, Nov 12 : The second highest wicket taker in the world and former Australian cricketer, Shane Warne has said that it wasn't the right time to hang skipper Ricky Ponting, instead he should be encouraged and supported by the team management.

He said that Ricky had stood up everytime he was challenged, like in 2005 after the Ashes series when England won the series after a long gap.

Warne said still a lot of cricket was left in Ponting and that he expected good results from him. "I am expecting some big things from the blade and his captaincy, starting in Brisbane next week," foxsports.com quoted the veteran Australian as writing in an article.

He also rejected the allegation that Ponting made wrong choice of bowlers on day 4 of the last Test against India in Nagpur, so as to not to face a ban in the next Test for slow over-rate. "Having played with him for a long time, he was one of the guys that put the team first - always. If it meant throwing his wicket away in the chase for quick runs, he would do that. And there have been previous captains who would not do that. I just think he got it wrong this time and I'm sure he will be a better captain for the experience," he wrote in the article.

He added: "We all know that outside of Australia, India is the toughest place to tour because the conditions are so different to anywhere else you play. To me, it is not that we lost the series but more the way we lost that is a concern for many of us ex-players. The Australia side to me looks like it's lacking a bit of spark. Having said that, India can have that effect on you. The Australia team will be hurting and it will come out firing in Brisbane and I will be looking for that spark."

ANI