Sourav Ganguly [Images] said India's top order batsmen let the team down in the tri-series match against New Zealand [Images].

"There is work to be done in our batting as there is lot of cricket left in the tournament," the Indian captain added, after the 51-run defeat.

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He praised the ninth-wicket stand of 118 runs between Irfan Pathan [Images] and J P Yadav that gave India a glimmer of hope after the side had been reduced to 44 for eight, but lamented that the team could not get to the target.

"We fought back very well through Irfan and J P Yadav but could not win the game," he said.

Talking about the devastating spell bowled by Shane Bond [Images] that made a mockery of the Indian top order, Ganguly said he is a "quality bowler" and bowled well under the conditions.

He said the pitch had something for the bowlers if they pitched it in the right areas, also giving credit to the Indian seamers who had made life difficult for the New Zealand batsmen in the morning.

Rival captain Stephen Fleming [Images] was all praise for his speed merchant Bond, who, he said, gave his team the belief after a none-too-impressive batting display.

"We were pretty much down and out at lunch but Shane gave us the lift and life to come back strongly."

He admitted that New Zealand "sat back too much" to allow Pathan and Yadav to put on a good partnership.