Ponting concedes his legacy is on the line

Australia's captain Ricky Ponting has admitted to having one eye on his legacy as he approaches the final years of a formidable Test career, but insists that his future as an international cricketer will not be dictated by the outcome of the Ashes.

Ponting's place among Australia's all-time great batsmen is already guaranteed thanks to his national record of 12250 runs in 148 Test appearances, while his credentials as a leader include a tally of 47 victories in 73 Tests as captain, a win-loss ratio that is second only to Viv Richards and Steve Waugh among men who've led their country more than 50 times.

In addition, Ponting led his side to consecutive World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007, as well as the first Ashes whitewash since 1920-21. Nevertheless, with England launching their latest tour with ominous purpose, Ponting knows he is in danger of being remembered as the first Australian captain since Billy Murdoch in 1890 to lead his country to three Ashes defeats. Given the status of the rivalry between the two countries, that would be an indelible stain on his CV, regardless of his personal achievements.

"Of course I'm worried about a legacy, but if it is how I'm remembered, so be it," he said. "The reason I play the game and cherish the captaincy so much is that I want to make sure the team are in a better position when I leave than when I started. I want to make sure I've got a good group of leaders under me when my time comes to move on and that's why I spend so much time with the younger group. I'm always the first on the training track and the last one to leave, and most of that time is spent helping the younger guys understand different things about the game. Of course I'm worried about the legacy because I want to leave a great legacy for Australian cricket.

"There's not much more I can do," he added. "I'll do everything I can to play well and give the team the best chance to win. That's all I can do and all I've ever been able to do. I'm really excited about what I think this group of players is capable of. If we play to our levels for five days, I think we'll have the results go our way this time. I'm not worried about the other stuff. How I am as captain or player, people will have different opinions."

For all his bravado, Ponting knows that the buzzards are circling. Since launching the last Ashes with a bloody-minded hundred at Cardiff in July 2009, he has managed just one more hundred in 29 Test innings, and even that effort - a masterful 209 against Pakistan at Hobart last year - relied on him being dropped by Mohammad Amir on 0. He turns 36 on December 19, and goes into the Ashes on the back of three consecutive Test defeats against Pakistan and India. Despite his own desire to push on until the 2013 Ashes in England, he knows - like Allan Border and Steve Waugh before him - that selectorial pressure tends to bear down on ageing Australian captains sooner rather than later.

In fact, Ponting was already feeling that pressure in England back in July, when he said in an interview: "I'd probably be looking for a new job if we lose [the Ashes] again". On the eve of the series, however, he played down those remarks. "I said it as a throwaway line that turned into something a bit more than that," he explained. "I'm probably the wrong bloke to ask. I'm giving myself the best chance possible. I've worked pretty hard on the physical side of my game over the last few months, and I just want to enjoy this series for what it is.

"This week is the most exciting week you have as an international player," he added. "The first Test of the summer is always a big one, and when it's an Ashes series there's always a little bit extra on the line. I will enjoy this week as much as possible. Hopefully we have a good game, the boys play well and the next few months go to plan. That's all I can say."

Despite the pressure, Ponting still retains the support of his team-mates, who believe his desire for revenge will be a major motivating factor. "Without a doubt," said Simon Katich. "We sensed that [during the Test series] in India, which in the past has probably been a tough place for him, but the way he batted - he didn't get a hundred, but he got three 70s in four innings and he was in ominous form all those times. There's no doubt he's primed for a big summer. We're all disappointed about what happened in England so hopefully that will be a big spur for us to put the past year behind us."

As for the strategy required to wrest the Ashes back from England's grasp, Ponting was unequivocal. "We have to play at our best for longer periods - simple as that," he said. "Every series in the last couple of years we've played some really good cricket but not for long enough. India is a good example. By not playing that brand of cricket for long enough, we've allowed other teams back into the game and they've pinched Test matches we should've won. That's the way I look at it and it's what we spoke about yesterday. If we don't play five days' good cricket, we don't win. We know what we have to do and we'll train to give ourselves the best chance at Brisbane."

On a personal note, Ponting fully expects to be targeted by England's bowlers, especially their tall quicks who have noted a susceptibility to the short ball in recent seasons. But, he pointed out, he's not the only leader in the firing line in this series. "I don't think I'm any different to [Andrew] Strauss," he said. "Captains are always expected to be that way, especially if you're a top-order batter. You need your top order to score consistent runs, and if you're doing that as captain, captaincy is a bit easier. I don't see how it's different from any other series I've played in. I'm always expected to score runs and to lead. There has probably been a bit made of that, but I honestly feel it's been that way the whole time."