Disgruntled Punter plots his revenge

'When Ponting cracked under pressure at Trent Bridge...it was Fletcher's grin, beaming down from the balcony, that really got to the Australian captain' © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting has always struck me as someone with a long memory. He has that glint in his eye, like a card sharp keen to grab back some chips he felt foolish losing in the first place.

And you can bet he will not have forgotten the day last summer when he was humiliated by something as simple as a Duncan Fletcher smile.

When Ponting cracked under pressure at Trent Bridge - run out by the substitute fielder Gary Pratt and then seen mouthing Australian pleasantries at the England dressing-room as he stormed off - it was Fletcher's grin, beaming down from the balcony, that really got to the Australian captain. The normally taciturn Zimbabwean could not contain himself - with good reason.

Fletcher knew this: Pratt was on the field legitimately because, despite Ponting's suspicions, Simon Jones was receiving hospital treatment. The Australians had been complaining all summer about strategic substitutions but now, as Fletcher and everyone watching could see, Ponting was making what the Australians would call 'a complete goose of himself'. What card player would not smile at that?

Ponting had his moments in the series but an average of 39.88 was not what he would have settled for beforehand. Also, with the benefit of distance, it appeared as if his judgement and confidence suffered at key moments - none more obvious than when putting England in at Edgbaston without Glenn McGrath to call on. Birmingham was bad. Nottingham was not brilliant. For someone who prides himself on his street smarts and cricket nous, the Australian captain was having a 'mare.

And it was not the end of it. After failing against the elements and Kevin Pietersen at The Oval, Ponting went home as the first losing Ashes captain in eight series. You would have thought he had applied for British citizenship by the reception he got from the public and critics. There were many who thought his days as captain were numbered.

Yet, against the odds, Punter has bounced back. Now, he is plotting his revenge - against Fletcher, against Michael Vaughan (who outcaptained him at nearly every turn) and against anyone who dared to doubt him.

Reasonable observers would agree that, since September, Australia have emerged more strongly from letting go of the Ashes than England have from winning them back. Pre-eminent for so long, they and their captain have shown their pedigree.

England losing in Pakistan was not a disaster and they now have the challenge of repairing the damage in India. But Australia, with Ponting in imperious form, swatted away West Indies and South Africa at home with their old arrogance. It was a serious statement of intent.

As it stands, 10 months out from probably the most anticipated rematch since Jardine took his Bradman-crunching Bodyliners down there in 1932-33, even a cursory glance at the evidence would confirm Australia as favourites to take back the little urn.

Certainly Ponting thinks so. His second century in his 100th Test, securing a clinical 2-0 series win over South Africa at the start of the year in Sydney, completed his mini-rehab and underlined what a wonderful bat he is, especially at home.

Those two hundreds (he now has 28 in Tests, closing hard on Sachin Tendulkar) put him on 922 points in the ICC's international ratings, the highest since Matthew Hayden's record 935 in 2002. The nearest Englishman to Ponting is Marcus Trescothick, in eighth place with 768. In the team rankings the win lifted Australia 14 points clear of second-placed India, who are two points in front of England. For those who put store in these rankings (and they are not completely worthless) England would claw back some of their air of dominance if they could overtake India in the upcoming series; if they do not, be sure the Australians will remind them of it.

It is all part of the psychological war that started the minute the Ashes finished. In a way the Ashes never stop. There is just a two-year rest between rounds. And Ponting is already sounding as buoyant as he was before arriving in England last summer.

"This has been a really good hit-out, as far as the Ashes is concerned," he told an adoring local reporter after his second ton at Sydney. Judging by her honey-toned inquisition, she no doubt will be part of the Aussie media ready to pump up the volume come November; there are some wonderful Australian cricket writers and broadcasters - punchy, fair and intelligent - but there are also a few utterly comic cheerleaders.

The skipper made a nod towards the return series, talking about how tough it would be, giving South Africa the usual respect, the regular blather of post-victory press conferences. But it is clear where his focus - and that of the entire country - is fixed. His whole being is geared up for the Ashes. It will define his career and he might well sign off as captain soon afterwards.

Nothing else matters to the Aussies this year. Even if Australia do poorly in South Africa (which is unlikely), their resolve will remain iron-strong to greet the English. The Australians want to beat England as they must have thirsted for independence.

And how Ponting would love a get-square with Fletcher. Will he do it? I do not think so. I will tell you why next month.