Gap between Australia's best and worst cricket has been far too great, says skipper Ricky
Gap between Australia's best and worst cricket has been far too great, says skipper Ricky
According to Australian captain Ricky Ponting, heading into a Test match with the series already lost "is a feeling none of us is accustomed to".
In his syndicated column yesterday, Ponting wrote feelingly about the Sydney Cricket Ground, which he calls one of his favourites.
"Just looking back into the final Ashes Test in Sydney two years ago, we won 5-0 and three of the all-time greats, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer, all retired.
"Sydney holds a special place in the hearts of most of the guys.
"Some of the younger guys in the team were still in primary school when Australia lost a series at home 16 years ago".
Ponting says that there were positives for his side in both the Perth and Melbourne Tests and that the margins (six and nine wickets) of the results do not reflect this.
"There were moments when we played some excellent cricket to put ourselves into a winning position in both games.
"Unfortunately the gap between our best cricket and our worst cricket has been far too great.
"That's what we all have to learn from and try to improve heading into Sydney.
"Reflecting on 2008 it has been a tough one. I've probably copped more criticism this year than I've copped in my whole career.
"It's part and parcel of leading the team. I accept responsibility as captain and will be doing my best to turn things around for 2009."
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TOUGH TIMES: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting |
Graeme Smith is still a doubtful starter for today's Test. The South African captain is said to be in excruciating pain, according to his coach, Mickey Arthur. But that has not stopped him from dominating proceedings in the series with scores of 48, 108, 62 and 75.
Australian medical specialists have recommended that, apart from the regular doses of cortisone which Smith has been taking, he be administered injections of his own blood in his elbow.
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He intends going straight back home after the Sydney Test for that procedure to get him ready for the first Test against Australia when they tour that country late next month.
Arthur said: "He goes through a huge amount of pain when he bats and it always seems to get worse when he gets to 40 or 50. The muscles get really tired and he almost can't grip the bat with his top hand anymore."
According to the coach the blood injections are the "last throw of the dice" failing which he will have to undergo surgery.
However, the Proteas skipper is desperate to play in today's Test in order to help inflict a whitewash on the Australians who were less than kind to him when he last toured this country as an inexperienced and overly-earnest 23-year old captain.
There have been contradictory reports about the fitness of vice-captain and No 5 batsman Ashwell Prince, who was replaced by Jean-Paul Duminy and who made heroic contributions in the team's victories in the first two Tests.
"Ashwell deserves to play given he has had enough preparation time going into the Test and he is 100 per cent fit. He has been outstanding at No 5 and is the rock around which we have built our side," Arthur said.
"Our top six have had unbelievable years and the top six still deserve their positions in our side if everything else is equal".
New South Welshman Dough Bollinger was named in the Australian playing eleven yesterday in place of the injured Brett Lee and Victorian all-rounder Andrew McDonald has replaced Andrew Symonds, who underwent surgery on Wednesday for his knee injury.
