AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting wants his players to take their game to another level when they step out on to the New Road pitch today.

The Baggy Greens face the England Lions at Worcester-shire’s headquarters in their final warm-up match before the first Ashes Test in Cardiff next Wednesday.

Having played a three-day match against Sussex last week, the Aussies are looking to finalise their side for the opening clash.

“This game is a big step up for us from last week, there is no doubt about that,” said Ponting said.

“Although Sussex was a really good hit out for us, we need to lift our cricket to another level against a much better and stronger team.

“This is the last game before the first Test and we need to lift the intensity and hopefully we can get the result we are after.

“There are no certainties for that Test — the spots are still up for grabs as far as I’m concerned.”

Ponting believes the Lions side including 2005 Ashes winners Ian Bell, who is captaining the team, and Ste-phen Harmison might play into their hands.

“It is good to have that calibre of opposition as our last game before the first Test,” he said.

“Just look at their bowling attack, the quicks have all played international cricket and that is a good thing for us.

“But on the flip side of that it gives those guys an opportunity to impress the England selectors as well.”

The 34-year-old is expecting the New Road wicket to be slow, but feels that will be what they are expecting at Sophia Gardens next week.

“I have spoken to a few guys that have played around the country this year and they said that it has been very slow here,” Ponting said. “Probably similar to what we had in Sussex last week. But given the rain on Tuesday you don’t know what to expect.

“I had a quick look at the wicket as it was being rolled it had a little bit of grass and didn’t feel overly hard so generally that means it will be on the slow side.”

Australia: Hughes, Katich, Ponting (capt), Clarke, Hus-sey, North, Haddin (wkt), Johnson, Lee, Hauritz, Clark.