Things to do in Leicester when you're dead
There are differing opinions over whether Australia's early exit from the ICC World Twenty20 will help or hinder their Ashes preparations
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
There are differing opinions over whether Australia's early exit from the ICC World Twenty20 will help or hinder their Ashes preparations. Shane Warne, in his column in the Times, argues that it could be a positive.
Although Australia will still be hurting, this could be a blessing in disguise for the Ashes. They will be able to have a short break to get this out of their systems and then tick along with their practice out of the spotlight before the warm-ups. They have one focus now, no distractions before July 8 in Cardiff.
But the Guardian's David Hopps disagrees.
The fact is that Ponting, Lee and Co will now have too much dead time on their hands. And the continuation of World Twenty20 will be a constant reminder of their failure. It's just a shame that Andrew Symonds isn't around to tempt them to drink their way through it.
In the Age, Chloe Saltau looks at Australia's mystifying selections and strange preparation for the World Twenty20 - and notes that the only Australians left in the tournament are playing for Ireland or England.
And back at the Times, Patrick Kidd imagines Ricky Ponting's diary for the week ahead; otherwise known as, things to do in Leicester when you're dead.
The Symonds controversy refuses to die, as Darren Berry of the Age blames the troubled batsman for Australia's exit in the World Twenty20.
Ponting asks Younis Khan a question on wellpitched.com.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here