Ricky Ponting’s new Ashes book was launched today and in it he apparantly makes the assertion that losing the Ashes was ‘not a bad thing’ for Australian cricket. Whilst I can relate to what I assume he means by this sweeping statement, this is dangerous ground for an Aussie captain to tread upon.

To the Australian fans, I imagine the Ashes hold the same Holy Grail status that they do for England supporters and as such, losing them should be seen as the ultimate in ‘bad things’.

If Ponting is indicating the Australian team were in need of a ‘wake up call’ then Ponting should have answered the phone when the Bangladeshi’s rang it in the ODI defeat.