The dichotomy: Ponting and Hussey

From Brad Hinds, Australia

In the space of little less than half a year, the two most senior Australian cricketers will have reached the mortal age of 36; Ricky Ponting already has, and Michael Hussey next May. It's an interesting time for these two batsman – both who have accumulated many accolades – especially as Australia traverse into a territory where they are no longer as dominant as they were several years ago; and where they must cement themselves once more with a core group of talented young players. The Ashes series may very well be the last hurrah for these two particular batsmen, and in light of that looming possibility, it has been interesting to witness the manner in which both Ponting and Hussey have individually gone about their performances out in the middle.

For Australia, much of its success is supposed to be attributed to the way in which the top order can establish a solid foundation by which the middle order can capitalise and the bowlers draw upon. Particularly, many eyes center towards a side’s captain, especially in a series as important as the Ashes, to help lead that attack with confidence and positivity. But for Ponting, he’s been able to achieve none of that so far in the first three Tests, where he has scored only 83 runs across six innings at an abysmal average of 16, boosted by a single half-century during the second innings at the Gabba. It's a stark contrast to the man who scored 568 runs in the 2006 Ashes series with a top score of 196 followed by a 142. It is also a very depressing outcome.

There is little doubt that Ponting’s decline has been in progress for several years now – incidentally mirroring Australia's own decline in the international rankings – but it is disconcerting to see Australia’s greatest run-scorer capitulate at home with as many accomplishments as he has earned. It is also rather surprising. Several months ago, during Australia's tour of India, Ponting was by far the team’s best batsman. He played in those two Test matches as well as he ever has throughout his distinguished career with three consecutive scores of over 70. But time is running out for Ponting. At the age of 36, the curtains are close to closing, especially if his persistently poor form perpetuates any further. With the Ashes at stake, he also faces being branded by a terrible legacy; the first Australian captain to lose an Ashes series at home in almost 30 years and, more harrowingly, to lose three Ashes series in over 120 years.

Despite what his numerous naysayers might say, Ponting is not deserving of such a tarnishing legacy. It’s hard to pinpoint where exactly he is going wrong in the area which he prizes above all else – a combination of rotten luck and an aging and weary mind bogged down by the pressures of captaining a declining side where talent is not consistently pulling through. It is interesting to note that for many batsmen who have carried the captaincy have found themselves in prolonged slumps that have raised question marks and uncertainties about their place in the side. Sachin Tendulkar is experiencing the best form of his life – at the age of 37. Perhaps it would be a wise decision on Ponting’s part to consider that move as well. As a specialist batsman at No. 3 or 4, he could very quickly turn his fortunes around with a much clearer mind and a more cheerful disposition.

With that in mind, he need look no further than Hussey, who has come from death’s door and experienced what can no less be described as a transformation. It is interesting to compare the two batsmen – where they have come from in the past 18 months – and to see their performances today. Four years ago, in the 2006 Ashes, the two of them were Australia’s top two run-scorers. Today, only one of them shows any signs of that destructive form. Whereas Ponting came from a relatively stable and positive position from India not too long ago, Hussey has suffered from a prolonged slump in form over the past 18 months that very recently resulted in his batting average dropping just below 50 for the first time in his career. Indeed, his place within the side was so tenuous that he was lucky to have made the squad for the starting Test in Brisbane. He went on to make 195 – the highest score of his career – in Australia’s first innings. It very much set the tone of the summer for him.

Though he may have scored in a single brilliant burst of batting prowess, talk still existed about whether or not he could transfer the good form through to subsequent innings. Indeed, Hussey made a futile 126 in the final Ashes Test last year at Lord’s but failed to carry on with it in future games. Fortunately, the same could not be said here. Since his heroic 195, he has hit scores of 93, 52, 61 and 116. He has become the first batsman in the history of the game to score six consecutive scores of over 50 in the Ashes. He has already made 517 runs at an average of 103.4 – the best series total of his career - with a maximum of four innings still available for him to play in. His performances over the past several weeks have been reminiscent of him at his very best in his early days, when his batting average of over 85 loomed as close to Bradman’s 99.94 as any mortal could hope to achieve.

But it’s extended beyond merely just his scores; he has pulled (quite literally) Australia out of dire trouble right when they needed him, and he has rallied the tail behind him in order to secure healthy scores that have at least been vaguely competitive. Indeed, his 116 at Perth secured Australia that Test and revitalised their hopes of taking back the Ashes. As a batsman, Hussey is neither overly stylish nor unorthodox. He is a subdued player who could spend days out in the middle batting his way along in a timely fashion without ever getting bored. Such is the incredible scope of his concentration and commitment. One cricketing fan described it thus: "His application to scoring runs as opposed to practicing a ballet-like style and hoping for the best is a reminder of what one hears about Bradman – the attunement of the action to the purpose."

Like Ponting, Hussey’s future will depend on the success of the Ashes. But while Ponting may retire if the Ashes is lost, Hussey may retire when the Ashes is won. Such has been the grandeur of his recent success – and the unparalleled comeback he has achieved – that will characterize his own legacy and engrain into the minds of all his supporters and fearful opponents just how eerily close he is to Bradman’s class. If Australia win the Ashes, it isn’t hard to foresee Hussey retiring with success in lieu of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist at the peaks of their respective careers. Ponting’s career may be ending on a whimper, but Hussey’s is ending with an inspiring resurgence. It will be a long time before anyone will forget that 100 he made at the Gabba – his scream of satisfaction an act of defiance in the face of the overwhelming calls for his dumping from the team.