The Test captain we used to know

Michael Clarke's well-documented story is one of contradictions and mystery, writes David Sygall in the Sunday Herald. Sygall charts Clarke's journey from Western Suburbs innocent to Australia's 43rd Test captain.

Not only did he become the second Australian to score a century on debut overseas, but he did it in the hardest place possible. He saluted his family in the stands and kissed the Australian flag sticker on his bat.

Mike Brearley in the Observer says that despite failings in leadership and temperament, Ricky Ponting deserves both sympathy and recognition in the batting pantheon.

Jarrod Kimber writes on his blog that though Ponting might be back in Test cricket and could even play again at the 'G a few more times, the best of him is gone.