Substance over style

Truth to tell it was not the most exhilarating batting performance seen in the past few years, but then we have been richly entertained, perhaps spoilt. Certainly it lacked élan, not to mention panache, but the dogged willow wielders had more serious matters in mind. Australia has too much respect for these opponents to give them an inch.

Ponting batted with a control that told of a man on top of his game and in charge of himself. He relied not on instinct but judgment, studying the ball carefully and then directing it into a gap. Realising that square leg had been pushed back, he took the pace off the ball and took a single. Nothing wrong with singles, though they have fallen from fashion. Ask Sachin Tendulkar, who has fed upon them. Another time he tapped the ball towards short cover and collected another notch. He intended to cook his opponents slowly.