The 88 Australia scored in the first innings of the second test against Pakistan is their lowest total in 53 years and first loss to Pakistan since 1995.
This has not deterred Ponting from implying there will be no changes to the team heading to India later this year even though there are significant issues that need to be addressed before the Ashes.
The Australian bowling attack appeared well on its way to forming a new identity after a successful home summer, a tour to New Zealand and an improved Twenty20 World Cup performance.
Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris have added much impetus with the new ball in the Test and ODI arena, allowing the pressure to be eased off Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Hauritz.
This also meant that Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle weren’t missed as they recover from injury and there is no concern in the fact Brett Lee’s international career is all but over.
The reserve fast bowling stocks look strong, with Clint McKay, Peter George and Josh Hazelwood in the wings, though much can still be said of the Australian spin stocks, which have been led admirably by Nathan Hauritz.
However, the poor showing in the five match ODI series against England and now a drawn test series against Pakistan have the critics out in force again.
Baring the brunt of the attack was the bowling department followed by the reoccurring theme that batsmen Mike Hussey and Marcus North are past their used by date and that Ponting is fast approaching his.
The key for the Australian selectors over the next three months is to sort out the batting department. Michael Clarke has finally made the move from five to four (only two years too late) while Marcus North should have been played in the same vain as Martin Love and Brad Hodge.
North should have been filling number six intermittently until Phil Hughes found his feet. Hughes could have come into the middle order last summer and then moved back to the opening position for the Ashes. This can still be achieved if North is switched with Hughes for the India tour.
It would also allow Watson to fulfil his all-rounder position batting five as his golden run with the bat at the top has finished.
Mike Hussey would then slip to six for the Ashes series then move on for Callum Ferguson who would ultimately be groomed for the number three position once Ponting retires.
Andrew Hilditch and co. need to bite the bullet and tell Brad Haddin that he is only required for the Twenty20 and ODI side as Tim Paine has slipped into the keeping position seamlessly.
The selectors only then need to worry about replacing Katich and the number six position which realistically won’t require filling in the next two years (barring injury).
The bowling department should give little latitude to Johnson who can no longer be considered a bowling all-rounder and as pointed out in a recent Cricinfo article; his form has mirrored the teams.
The time and money invested in him is no longer warranted, particular when travelling to countries which don’t suit his ability. The ideal situation for him would be to miss the up coming India series, play the opening Sheffield Shield matches and be ready to go for the first c test at the Gabba.
Spinners Steve Smith and Hauritz would be of value pairing together in India, while Bollinger and Hilfenhaus will continue to spearhead the attack.
Such moves by the selectors would give the side stability, direction and a workable plan over the next year two years while also giving the side the best possible chance of returning the Ashes this summer.
Lolly
Guest
Hilditch has upped and said that North is safe for India. Like we didn't know that. Probably for the Ashes as well. He's talking about North in the 'long term' in his latest excursion into the press. Hilditch is Punter's puppet.
Fisher Price
Guest
Straws. At. Clutching. Oi-oi-oi !
Fisher Price
Guest
Spot on re: Ponting. Shame more won't see his shortcomings.
Fisher Price
Guest
Good post but please, no x-factor! That was Andrew Symonds' free pass for being rubbish. And you're right, Ponting is too arrogant and deluded to realise his days as a top-quality No.3 are a couple of years behind him.
Fisher Price
Guest
Voges is rubbish for WA...
Lolly
Guest
It's a mystery how that bloke got an Aus contract. Very strange system we have here.
Whiteline
Guest
Jason Please explain how Voges is on the verge of national selection? Has he a brother we don't know about?
Jason Cave
Guest
I would leave Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and possibly Ricky Ponting at home so they can be fresh and ready for the upcoming battle against England (yes, I know this is a tour of India, but which is more import-the tour of India or the Ashes?). I would give several players who are on the verge of Australian selection like McDonald, Voges, Ferguson a chance to impress the selectors, not so much with an eye towards the First Ashes Test in Brisbane, but looking more towards England 2013.
Jameswm
Guest
Gus and David - how can Watson only be a maybe at best for the test team? Put your personal feelings aside - the guy would be one of the first picked on his performances over the last 12-18 months. He has been an outright revelation. With his bowling picking up, I have no problem with him batting at 5 or 6. But we need someone to partner Kat. I don't think Clarke is up to batting at no.3. Leave him at 4. Callum Ferguson got injured at the wrong time. He has shown in the one-dayers he is all class - he makes batting look easy when the others struggle. He has dug us out of lots of tough situations, showing he has mental stength. And he is one of very few with soft hands, who can adapt his game to the conditions. I would love to see him in the baggy green soon. I don't think Hughes is up to test cricket yet. I'd pick both Khawaja and Ferguson ahead of him. There remain too many flaws in his technique, and how on earth would he survive opening in swing-friendly conditions on a green top? His biggest failing is his head moves too often when he is hitting the ball. He needs to understand his game better, and test cricket is not the place to find this out. Look at Kat, Haydos, Lang, Huss - you can come into the side in your late-20s and still have a fantastic test career. He'll be right in 3-4 years. Khawaja - he's a more solid all round player and I'd select him ahead of Hughes for sure. North just has to go. He never even looks like getting runs. I think Smith just has that X-factor. Even in tough conditions, he could come in and score runs. And he can murder tired attacks. His spinners are improving. The major problem I have in picking him, is I don't think he's up to being picked as our no.1 spinner yet (except maybe at Brisbane or the WACA, and can you afford to have him at 6 with too many top-order players batting inconsietently? I was very impressed with Paine's glovework, and whilst Haddin has an amazing eye, I'm sick of his impatience, and his ego when batting. My top 7 for the Ashes the bowling can come later) would look like this: Watson Katich Khawaja Clarke Ponting (happy for him to bat at 5, but it won't happen) Smith or Ferguson or Hussey - depends on form and conditions Paine
Whiteline
Guest
As an aside - i think the sub-continent pitches are a real concern. Seen the inflated batting performances in the Sri Lanka vs India match that is on at the moment? What's the point of that?
Lolly
Guest
I don't agree about the greeness of the wickets. If the cloud cover is low, then the ball moves. Headingley was hardly a green top, it was atmospherics and fantastic bowling. The cloud cover for England v Pakistan today was a lot higher hence they weren't getting the hooping movement. But yes, the Nottingham pitch looks dead.
Georgie McHugh
Guest
Hauritz is a good stopper. He is getting better; but, he is not a test wicket taker. By the way, let's not get too hysterical about Australia's 88. It wasn't ideal; but, the same conditions are unlikely to prevail again when Australia play. That is made plain with the wicket at Trent Bridge today for the first test betwen England and Pakistan. It is bouncing around the ankles on day one, not a week after the green wickets we saw in the two Australia v Pakistan tests. And we still have Sir Beefy talking about how dry the summer has been, intimating that it is impossible to produce a wicket with bounce. What a farce. It is just so terribly transparent. It seems certain that so long as English cricket produces batsmen with mediocre techniques and awful footwork, it is unlikely that we will see traditional English wickets in test matches in England, other than when neutrals play.
Bayman
Guest
I think a key statement in all this is the second paragraph of the article. My concern is that Ponting is making any comments at all about the makeup of the team. Where's Hilditch in all this? Surely Ponting's job is just to manage with the team, whatever it is, that he's been given. The interesting thing for me will be if India pick "Harby". In the last few occasions these two met Singh used to get Ponting out for fun. The concern here is that Ponting today is nowhere near the player he was even three or four years ago. Make no mistake, Ponting has been a gun and has made a truck load of runs but if the selectors keep picking North then eventually he too will make a mountain of runs. Might even score another hundred or two. I'm sure Bill Lawry had another Test hundred in him when he was dropped, but he still got dropped. I don't really see why Ponting is any different. Or North. Or Hussey. Or Johnson. While I'm not necessarily suggesting across the board changes it's patently obvious that this team has seen better days. Unfortunately, the problems start with the skipper. Poor captaincy decisions and poor shot selection and footwork mean he is a long way from leading from the front. It's hard to criticise his no. 6 for poor shots when he has thrust his leg down the wicket and anchored himself to the ground as the ball hits his pad/stumps and the umpy's finger is going skyward. Watch any Ponting innings in the last couple of years and see how many times he has gone in the first half a dozen balls - or should have done! This is not just a failing of technique, it's a failing of attitude. It's no use sticking your head in the sand and saying I'm still Australia's most successful run-getter when you're being knocked over so early, so often that a lesser player would be having nightmares. It's either supreme confidence or supreme stupidity and I'm not convinced it's entirely the former. Ponting has been a great player. Arguably, the best since Bradman but it's no longer the case and it hasn't been for a year or two. Still, he must have influence. I'm sure Brad Hodge is wondering what it is the Marcus North has got that he didn't have - apart from a truck load of chances with, apparently, no end in sight.
Tom Dimanis
Roar Pro
You make some good points there. But I have to disagree with you in regards to Hauritz - I honestly think he'll be found out against England in the upcoming Ashes series. He did ok against the West Indies and Pakistan, but the reality is that the West Indian batting line-up is tragically woeful, and the Pakistani batsmen like to throw their wickets away. I also think the inclusion of Hilfenhaus is vital to an Australian Ashes victory because he can swing the ball at pace.
David
Guest
1. Katich 2. Hughes 3. Ponting 4. Clarke 5. Watson\hussey 6. Paine 7. Smith 8. Hauritz 9. Johnson 10. Hilfenhaus 11. Siddle
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hughes might be better than Watson, but Watson is definitely better than North.
Gus
Guest
Hughes Katich Ponting Clarke Hussey North and Smith in the team. I just can't stand Watson and I know Hughes is better
Whiteline
Guest
fisher He 'lost' the dog collar after a couple of games - I guess he would have received some positive feedback about that one!! Shame he hasn't learn't that bowling two lengths (too full or too short) doesn't cut it at test level against the good teams. India will towel him up but hopefully injury keeps him out for Australia's sake!!
Fisher Price
Guest
Quite. He can't wait to see that dodgy necklace (picked up in Bali?) barreling into the crease.
Fisher Price
Guest
"It’s poor leadership from Punter to put his own desire to keep his spot at 3 ahead of what’s best for the team." Spot on. But then Ponting is a poor captain.