David Leggat: Don't expect Ponting to walk yet

Ricky Ponting. Photo / AP

New Zealand can put a full stop on Ricky Ponting's stellar test career, and remove the worry lines for Australian cricket.

Forget the introduction of a clutch of greenhorn speedsters; what to do about Punter is the hot topic going into the first test at the Gabba today.

This may sound odd of a player rated Australia's finest batsman since Don Bradman, who still averages 52.53 from 156 tests, has scored more test hundreds - 39 - than anyone bar Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis, and at a time when three players in the top six are still working their way into the setup.

Wherever you look, whoever you listen to, everyone's got a theory.

One of the tenets of Australian cricket down the years has been that there's no room for sentiment. It's a hard business, not a kids' picnic.

Take wicketkeeper Ian Healy. When it was decided his time was up in 1999, the case was pleaded for the popular Queenslander to have one last test at his beloved Gabba, which happened by chance to be the venue for the next international.

Tough. Healy was dumped and a guy called Adam Gilchrist introduced. He hit 81 before Healy's adoring faithful, a test-winning 149 not out in the next match and didn't look back.

But Ponting has had considerable leniency by one measure.

His last century was 23 months ago. He's played 14 tests, 28 innings since then. His average over his last seven tests, and 14 innings, is 17.

He has credit in the bank, but is fast working his way through it. How much slack is cut for a legend?

Ponting is 36 and insists he's going nowhere in a hurry. Indeed, far from bowing out in the second test against New Zealand at Hobart in his own backyard, Ponting fully expects to be walking out to face India on Boxing Day in Melbourne.

There's a raft of complications for Australia's new selection panel.

Is there an obvious replacement roaring out "pick me" if they decide to punt Ponting? No.

Today Australia are fielding a debutant opener, David Warner, another, Phil Hughes, who averages 38.1 from 15 tests but with four scores below 15 in his last six innings; No 3 Usman Khawaja has one half-century from his first four tests.

That situation is leavened by the experience of Ponting, captain Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey but when key allrounder Shane Watson returns, perhaps in Hobart, there's a growing view that he should bat at No 4. Not to mention the well-regarded Shaun Marsh, currently injured. What then for Ponting?

Failure for Ponting this week will increase the volume from the "out" brigade. Would New Zealand keep him given the same circumstances? Yes, but then this is Australia with its different attitudes, depth and expectations.

Great players walk. Or they are tapped on the shoulder and given the chance to leave in an appropriate manner.

Ponting's place among the greats is secure. Will he walk, head high, or get a shove in the back? His personality, and hunger, might mean he is one of those who can't take the hint.