Mohali, Nov 2 Australian skipper Ricky Ponting's decision to open the batting in the third ODI of the seven game series against India may develop into something more lasting.

Ponting has indicated that he would maintain the spot for the rest of the series, starting with the fourth game in Mohali.

"The reason I opened in the game was for team balance. I'm obviously the most experienced player in our side and to put one of the other guys up to open the innings I thought would have been more of a challenge for them than it would be for me," The Daily Telegraph quoted Ponting, as saying.

"If it looks like everyone's fit and ready for the next game there's probably every chance that I'll open again," he added.

The 34-year-old made 59 runs in a painfully slow conditions at the Ferozshah Kotla, but his contribution will give the selectors cause for thought ahead of the 2011 World Cup, also on the subcontinent.

Ponting has previously opened only once in his career, against Zimbabwe at Harare in 1999. (ANI)