The Surfer

Ponting's men enter the unknown

Peter English
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Ricky Ponting cuts a lonely figure as he walks back for 1, Australia v India, CB Series, 2nd final, Brisbane, March 4, 2008

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Tim Lane writes in the Age about the end of Ricky Ponting’s glory days and predicts things will be much harder for Australia in the future.
Ponting now leads Australia into the unknown. Were he three years older he, like others, might call time and quit while he's ahead. Were he three years younger, and a recently appointed captain, he could contemplate taking the team through a new era. Time, though, rarely makes these decisions so straightforward. The glory days are over and Ponting's new challenge has begun.
The Pura Cup season is winding down and New South Wales have a dilemma over where to stage the final if they win the hosting rights. A rugby league game is due to be held at the SCG during the decider and Michael Clarke has a test of allegiance, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Damien Martyn has popped up in India, where he will appear in the Indian Cricket League. In the Sydney Morning Herald Alex Brown looks at what he has done since the strange end to his international career.

Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo