Authoritative Ponting has England worried

After watching Ricky Ponting's 150, Gideon Haigh writes in the Times that the innings was a perfect batting tutorial. He also reflects on how Ponting has grown as a captain over the years.

The members of that dressing room have returned Ponting’s gaze with something approaching awe. Like the later Allan Border, he has become captain to a circle of cricketers who grew up watching him play. They look to him for the kind of craftsman’s runs he has provided at Cardiff and for the talismanic link he represents to past success.

In the Guardian Paul Hayward writes that the "the look of thunder on his [Ponting's] mug" shows just how determined the Australian captain is to avenge the defeat in 2005.

Booed on to the field and then clapped back off 150 runs later, Ricky Ponting wore his most demonic game face. A smile may not crack the captain's features until he has avenged the 2005 outrage. "Punter" Ponting's tight, resentful countenance is a study in the uses of adversity.

And in the Independent James Lawton writes that Ponting's innings set the tone for a day of utter dominance.