Ponting must learn to play the hand he's been dealt

Other captains are used to making the most of limited resources. Now it is Ricky Ponting's turn. It is also his greatest test, writes Peter Roebuck in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The days of domination are over. That was the message out of the Mohali Test match. Not that Australia cannot win matches and even retain a high position in the rankings, but the era of crushing all and sundry has passed. Quite simply, the Australian bowling is not strong enough to run through proficient batting orders. Hereafter, it will be a struggle, with tight series, long Test matches and captains constantly under pressure. It is not an easy adjustment to make. The West Indies did not survive it. Inflated players continued strutting around long after the wins had dried up. Australia must not allow its cricket culture to weaken.

It says much about the state of Australian cricket that barely a year after the retirement of the greatest spinner in history, the nation is clamouring for an emergency call-up for a bowler who has spun out just a dozen batsmen at Test level, writes John Townsend in the Independent.

The refusal of Cricket Australia to consider selecting Symonds, referring to mysterious "medical and related issues", has polarised the country. Newspapers and talk radio have been filled to the hyperbolic brim with debate on the issue, with Tom Moody, the West Australian coach and recent Sri Lankan boss, speaking for many fans this week when he argued: "Australia must send an immediate SOS to Andrew Symonds if they want to pick their best team. India is the toughest place in world cricket to come from behind and when the Australian team is struggling for balance, form and cohesion, we simply can't afford to leave him out."