He's dodged many a bouncer, but a bouncing baby girl has Ricky Ponting in a spin. The Aussie cricket captain has a new daughter, Emmy Charlotte, and he's besotted.
The star batsman admitted the drive home from the hospital with wife Rianna and their first little treasure was the most nerve-racking of his life.
"I don't think we went over 40km/h the whole way home," the new dad said.
Emmy's birth -- four weeks early -- has proved to be masterly timing. Ponting is resting after surgery and before tour commitments.
"We just feel so blessed to have a whole month together before he has to go away again," Rianna said.
An injured wrist has put paid to plans for him to play three scheduled matches in Darwin. But a looming tour of India and possibly Pakistan will test the young family for the first time.
"It's going to get hard if and when I have to leave," he said.
Tiny Emmy nestled in her parents' arms at the couple's Sydney home yesterday.
And Ponting's cricketing family have added their good wishes to those of fans across the country. Glenn McGrath visited the couple yesterday.
"He hunted around for a doll his daughter Holly was given as a newborn, bought one, and gave it to Emmy this afternoon," Rianna said.