Howzat for a house? As a long, hot summer of cricket continues, so too do renovations on Ricky Ponting's waterfront mansion in Sutherland Shire, in Sydney's south.
Redevelopment of the palatial home, in exclusive Burraneer, is believed to be costing Australia's cricket captain about $3 million.
The multi-storey mansion, on an 1100sq m block with majestic views over Port Hacking and Burraneer Bay, has been gutted for the renovations, with no windows, half a roof and an empty backyard pool.
There's no cricket pitch, but the home overlooks Ponting's boathouse, slipway and pontoon.
The renovations have been a long time coming. Ponting and wife Rianna bought the mansion in 2004 for $3.8 million.
While the house gets a facelift, the Pontings have moved to a modern Balinese bungalow in nearby Harris St.
"I'd be surprised if anyone would leave that house - it's beautiful," a neighbour said of Ponting's temporary home. "But he's probably got something nice going up somewhere."
Neighbours said the Pontings are rarely seen at home.
"I don't see too much of him because he's always on tour. But when he's home, we occasionally have a good talk about golf and his two King Charles spaniels, Bella and Coco," another neighbour said. "He doesn't have much time, either, so it's usually a nod, a smile, or a brief chat, if you're lucky."
When he does return, the former Tasmanian will no doubt make a routine visit to his local bakery for a bacon and egg roll.
"He just wanders up, waits in line and doesn't push in. He gets a few sideways glances, though," staffer Melissa Boualibane said.
The Shire is also home to Test cricketers Glenn McGrath, Stuart Clark and Steve Waugh.
- BRENDEN HILLS