Poor form by Ponting. As much as I hate to say it (as Punter is my favourite player) when it comes to taking the reins and showing some real leadership, he really falls over. Like most others, I believe his average decisions in the field over the last few years have occurred since Warnie, Pigeon and Gilly all upped stumps and he very much struggles without their expertise.
I think when the going gets tough Punter really needs someone to lean on and in recent years he makes the wrong decisions or just goes missing, and thats not the making of a captain. If you are going to take the accolades when the team is going well, you have to take the criticism when they're not. Ponting should have taken the hit with a smile and moved on. As a captain, hanging a team mate out to dry in the media is pretty poor.
Having said that, I like Hauritz but he is average at best. The selectors should look to back Smith now, blooding him now will only benefit him and the team. Warnie needs to get in the nets with him and start handing down his wisdom, instead of crucifying Punter in the media.
The selectors are every bit to blame as Punter in this situation… When Smith, Ferguson and Hughes are all struggling to get a look in while North, Hussey and Hauritz can rely on one good innings out of every twenty to guarantee their selection you know there's something terribly wrong.
