We will be ready for the Ashes - Ponting

Although Australia's Test series in South Africa is only one match old, Ricky Ponting has admitted that attention is already turning to the 2006-07 Ashes series. "There's a lot of anticipation already building up around the Ashes," Ponting told BBC's Test Match Special.

"It's not far away now. We have all spoken about it and we are all looking forward to it a lot. It was very disappointing for us what happened in the last series and we want to make up for it this time around."

Australia have made several changes since losing the Ashes last summer, most recently and notably, Stuart Clark. Following the absence of Glenn McGrath, who is back in Australia caring for his wife, Clark took nine wickets on debut in the seven-wicket, first Test win, and drew many comparisons with McGrath.

"He's a big tall guy, in the McGrath mould a little bit," Ponting said. "He bowls a similar sort of pace and lands the ball in good areas most of the time. He ran in and bowled very good line and length and was good enough to hit the edge of the bat a few times.

"It was a dream start for him. Nine wickets on debut was probably outside even his wildest imagination. It was a great start and if he bowls that way I am sure we will see him play a lot more Test cricket for Australia. But I don't think anybody will ever play for Australia again who will be as good as Glenn was, or as good as Glenn still is.

After Australia's comprehensive victory at Cape Town, Ponting was confident that his team was progressing excellently, and would be ready to reclaim the Ashes. "All the bowlers did a terrific job in the last game and we are hoping they can carry that on in the rest of the series," he said.

"We've pushed on. There are other things we have had to focus on and to all of our credit we have managed to do that really well since we have been back from the Ashes. But when it does come around I know we'll be up for it. I know we will be ready."