Shane Warne’s infamous remark that ‘the only use Australia have for a coach is a lift to and from the ground’ raised a murmur of agreement from some.

John Buchanan may have coached one of the most successful teams in history, but were they successful because of or in spite of his input? The same can be wondered of Ricky Ponting – when you captain one of the most successful teams in the world, does it reflect on you as a captain, or would they be world beaters whoever took the helm?

Despite their dominance, Australia suffered a famous blip on their ‘unbeatable’ run – England 2005. It was a close series, the Edgbaston Test possibly the most nerve-wracking in recent memory. It was won by two runs, any slip on the Australians’ part could have been to blame but the one which received the most attention was Ricky “we’ll have a bowl” Ponting’s.

'It is easy to say that Ponting has had little effect, just as it is easy to say that he held together a winning side to achieve even greater things'


No-one will ever know how things could have turned out if the Australians had batted first but Ponting’s decision will always incur scrutiny from those who believe that, no matter what the situation, if you win the toss, you bat.  

Ponting’s value as a cricketer isn’t in question; 116 tests have boasted 9,776 runs at an average of 58.53 and at 33 years old it is often speculated that his best years are yet to come, but does his prowess with the bat match his captaincy skills?

The simple truth is that the Australian side are an immensely talented one and need little tinkering in order to succeed. Ponting may be one of the best captains in the world, but without the tough times and difficult challenges that have faced the likes of Michael Vaughan (who took a faltering side to the world number two ranking and Ashes victory) and Graeme Smith (who saw a low-ranked side shoot to the number one spot in ODIs) it is not easy to test or assess his quality as a captain. 

Of course, the true measure of a captain is his team and with the mighty Australian side at Ponting’s command he certainly looks the part of a great cricket captain. At the end of the day, his record speaks for itself – it’s wins that count, and whose team has achieved more
It is both a blessing and curse to lead a team of the calibre of the Australians. They were champions when Ponting took the helm and they are still a great side today.

It is easy to say that Ponting has had little effect, just as it is easy to say that he held together a winning side to achieve even greater things.

Perhaps the recent misfortunes of the Australian side will present Ponting with the challenges he needs to prove himself a great captain once and for all, maybe the turning tide will instead expose him as a sub-par skipper.

Ponting faces difficult challenges in the coming months but if he can hold together a team decimated by a retirement exodus and prove that he can build, rather than inherit a winning Australian side then he can certainly put his name alongside his predecessors as a great captain.

But whilst these difficult times could be the making of him, they may also be his undoing.