Ponting: room for improvement

Ricky Ponting intimated the nature of the WACA track could prompt the recall of Shane Watson

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Australia captain Ricky Ponting has warned his team will need to improve if they are to match South Africa in the upcoming three-Test series.

Brett Lee claimed five wickets as Australia dismantled New Zealand's batting line-up to record an emphatic innings and 62-run victory in the second Test at Adelaide Oval today and seal a 2-0 series whitewash.

But Ponting insists the team cannot afford to get too carried away with the performance.

"Realistically that New Zealand team is probably not the strongest team we've ever come up against and they are probably the first to admit that," he said.

"We are not kidding ourselves; we've got a long way to go if we want to stay the number one team in the world.

"We have to play at our optimum and there's no hiding that fact."

After a disappointing tour of India, Australia did show signs their form was on the rise by beating the Black Caps at the Gabba and in Adelaide.

Ponting was particularly pleased with the batting efforts of Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey and the bowling performance of Lee, who passed 300 wickets in the course of the series.

Ponting (left) expects Andrew Symonds to star against South Africa at Perth later this month

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"When I spoke to the guys coming into this game I felt there was a lot of room for improvement and I think we've all seen a great deal of improvement from most players in this game," he said.

"I think the last couple of weeks have been a good step for us."

Australia have already turned their focus to the first Test against South Africa at Perth, which gets under way on December 17.

Ponting revealed Shane Watson could get a recall for that match, leaving Nathan Hauritz with another one-off Test performance and Jason Krejza an extended wait on the sidelines.

"Everyone we've spoken to in domestic cricket this year has said the re-laid wicket (at the WACA) has been very fast and very bouncy," Ponting said.

"I don't think we'd bring another specialist fast bowler in, I think we'd look at an all-rounder like Watson."

Ponting said Watson would not be replacing Andrew Symonds in the side though.

"I'm sure if he (Symonds) didn't get out the way he did yesterday there was a big score waiting out there for him so I'm not worried about his form," the captain added.

"We all back Andrew Symonds' cricketing ability."