Ponting stumped for positives

Michael Clarke - the star of a low-key production © Getty Images

In the underwhelming aftermath of Australia's bastardised visit to Zimbabwe, Ricky Ponting was given pause for thought by the obligatory question of what, if anything, his team had gained from the venture. Ponting pondered, and eventually plumped for the comfortable backward defensive: "Good question."

But Ponting, who is probably contractually bound to the craft of mouthing the warm, fuzzy quote, knew that wasn't a good enough answer. So he embellished his reply with references to the bowling of Jason Gillespie, nothing short of Lillee-esque for his return of seven wickets at 12.85, and the batting of Michael Clarke, who crackled with class in his undefeated 105 on Saturday.

However, those sparkling numbers were achieved against a gaggle of wet-eared, wide-eyed adolescents masquerading as a team of international strength and stature. Ponting knew that as well as the rest of the world did, and he wished it wasn't so.

"We don't want them out of cricket, we just want them to be able to improve and be able to put a good side on the park," he said. "We need every country around the world to have strong international teams, and their team is not as strong as it has been in the past. Hopefully they can get it back to a similar sort of standard to what they had four or five years ago."

But should Zimbabwe's international status be withdrawn, Punter? He shouldered arms to that one. "It's not for me to make that judgment, but they have got a lot of work to do."

Glenn McGrath had more personal matters uppermost in his thoughts. Like getting the new ball back in his hand. Not so long ago, were Clint Eastwood to captain a Psychopath's XI, he wouldn't think twice about tossing the new nut to his ominously silent, square-jawed lookalike and growling: "Go ahead, Glenn, make my day."

But McGrath has been out of the game for 10 months with ankle problems, and it showed. Even against the Zimbabwe Zeroes. Gone was the bristling presence, and his famed supernatural accuracy was rather more natural than super.

McGrath has played 188 one-day internationals, and he has taken the new ball in 148 of those matches. In 17 others he has shared it. That leaves just 23 games in which he has been a change bowler. Ponting entrusted McGrath with the new ball in the first two matches against Zimbabwe, but by game No. 3 Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz were the men in possession.

The Dizzy and Casper show knocked over six Zeroes for 61 runs in 20 overs on Saturday, and McGrath knew he would have his work cut out to regain the No. 1 spot.

"The way Casper and Dizzy have been bowling it probably justified them opening," McGrath conceded. But he wasn't about to go quietly. "I still like opening with the new ball. I'll have to improve my form to get back there."

For inspiration toward that aim, McGrath said he would look to the example set by Allan Donald, the South African spearhead who reinvented himself as a canny change bowler once his pace faded. "Through the latter part of his career he came on first change and really tied it up, put the pressure on and took wickets," McGrath said. "It worked very well."

For now, McGrath said, he would concentrate on ensuring he was securely back in harness. "After such a long break you need overs under the belt. I bowled 50 on tour, including the practice match, and felt I was just starting to get it back. Another 50 would be handy."