Author Description

Throughout the period of cricket recalled in Ashes Diary 2009, Ponting played with a steely spirit that impressed many observers, including the Guardian newspaper which, after the final Ashes Test, wrote, ′Staring down the barrel of a loss that must have hurt more than any other in his career, Ponting showed what a class act he is.′ During the series, he had become Australia′s highest Test run-scorer. At the end, the crowd at The Oval gave him an extended standing ovation. This insider′s account follows the path that led to this increased respect. It had been quite a year...