New era dawns for Australia
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
AFP
Ron Reed says in the Herald Sun it looks like the start of a new era for Australia after their win over South Africa.
The No. 1 ranking is safe. Rumblings about Ponting's captaincy have dissipated. Gratifyingly for the veteran leader, all of the new and newish faces responded to the faith shown in them, none more, of course, than opening bat Phil Hughes, with his twin centuries.
Peter Roebuck, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, says Australia will be even harder to beat with a spinner and stronger catching.
Even then Ricky Ponting's side cannot be expected to overwhelm opponents in the old way. South Africa have been trounced but did suffer the loss of their captain and both tosses and could not muster the strength of mind needed to contain a reinvigorated visiting side.
Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo