After the defeats in India, one thought that Ricky Ponting’s days as Australia’s captain were numbered, but Cricket Australia (CA) sort of gave him the benefit of the doubt. It would have done wisely had it made Michael Clarke the captain and allowed Ponting to play under him.

After his return Ponting had promised that he would win all the Tests at home this season. He won two against New Zealand, which seems to be struggling ever since Stephen Fleming retired from Tests. After the Perth defeat, which was the result of South Africa chasing down in excess of 400 in the fourth innings, Ponting has blamed the pitch, traditionally the bounciest and fastest in the world. According to Ponting, the pitch has been made slower because of commercial seasons. He does not want to accept that his team’s bowling is very ordinary.

There are a lot of discerning students of the game who regard Graeme Smith as the best captain at present. And more importantly, he seems to be the sort to lead from the front. He is not one who believes in giving excuses if his plans go awry. This has been Ponting’s problem of late.

Aussie arrogance is well known. But one is aware that they crib when defeated and take any reverse badly. Australian cricket is on the downswing. Its fast bowling spearhead Brett Lee has not been the same ever since his divorce and on the Indian tour, his altercation with his captain became public knowledge.

Were Ponting to contrive to lose the three-Test series against South Africa, the chances are his tenure as captain would come to an end. Though Kevin Pietersen’s England side, which is in India, is also having a tough time, there is reason for him to believe that he has a very good chance regaining the Ashes, considering Australia’s decline. It will not be very long before India and South Africa would be vying for the top position in Test cricket. Good to see Australia knocked off its pedestal.