INJURED skipper Ricky Ponting was still very much a team leader at Australia's training session at the SCG yesterday by not only helping take the team through its drills, but also pulling aside NSW rookie Usman Khawaja for a lengthy discussion about the days ahead.
At the end of their conversation Ponting slapped Khawaja, who is expected to stand in for him as Australia's No.3 batsman, three times in a sign of his total support.
Ponting told The Sun-Herald he passed on some hard-earned advice and observations he'd gained during what had so far been a tough summer for Australian cricket to the likes of Khawaja and opener Phil Hughes.
''I've just spoken about the specifics of some of England's bowlers and how they're going to need to cope with it, Usman in particular,'' Ponting said. ''Phil Hughes has seen plenty of them, and Usman had a chance to play England [for Australia A] in Hobart. [So while] it was maybe nothing new for them it was just a bit of reinforcement for their own good.''
Ponting said the team - which will be led for the first time by Michael Clarke and is expected to also include debutants Khawaja and left-arm orthodox spinner Michael Beer from Western Australia - had his total support.
''I have no worries about them at all, they're all good young blokes. It was a good training session and while we obviously have three or four young blokes in this team and while it will be a big challenge for them, they will be all right.''
The 36-year-old's wholehearted contribution at the session only enhanced his reputation as a great team leader. Fellow veteran Mike Hussey said he was a long-term admirer of Ponting's ability to ''front up'' regardless of the circumstances.
''That's another thing about leadership,'' Hussey said.
''Whether he is going well or not so well or if the team is going well or not so well, he has a constant character all the time. Ricky is a consistent bloke and I think that's [a part of] great leadership.''
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