The qualities that Ricky Ponting lacks to make him Australia's best Test captain

On paper, Ricky Ponting is the best captain that Australia has ever had. On paper, communism is a smashing idea that enriches the life of everyone in the system. Reality, however, is a much more complex beast and causes even the most wonderful theories to fall over in a screaming heap.

Ponting’s record is impeccable. He has only lost four games of the 41 games that he has captained and has won a staggering 31 games, including a record equalling, if somewhat controversial, 16 straight Test victories.

More impressive still, Ponting’s personal batting average has continued to improve since taking on the captaincy. The burden of leadership has served to sharpen the focus of arguably the best Australian batsman since Sir Donald Bradman.

He has only lost two series', the anomalous 2005 Ashes and a short series in India – the toughest road trip on the planet. He should be revered as a living cricketing god, but he isn’t. On the contrary, he is publicly seen as the most divisive national skipper since Bill Lawry.