Ricky’s tatty baggy

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Over the years the face and the cap have worn and faded together. Nothing else in Ponting's career has been there for so long.
Australia are not playing so well that they can afford to waste the form and momentum he has built up against West Indies. His eight-wicket haul in Perth was worthy of Man-of-the-Match honours. He has a certain force about him at the moment that no other member of the attack can boast.
Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo