Former Test captain Bill Lawry has backed comparisons between Ricky Ponting and Don Bradman, claiming the current Australia captain's performances in recent seasons had captured the imagination of the sporting public as Bradman's once did.
Ponting has notched six centuries in his past 12 Test innings and narrowly missed scoring his fourth double century in a calendar year when he was dismissed leg before wicket by Matthew Hoggard on 196 at the Gabba yesterday.
As reported in The Australian yesterday, Ponting has recorded nine centuries in his past 12 Tests at an average of more than 90.
"They are Bradman-like figures and he has been improving steadily over the past three or four years," said Lawry.
"His career average is up in the 60s now and could rightly be seen in Australian terms as the modern Bradman. It isn't 99.94, but these days they are playing a lot more cricket under a variety of conditions. Bradman only ever played in Australia or England.
"There will never be another Bradman. His record stands alone. But Ponting is a remarkable player and he brings the crowds to the cricket, just like Bradman did in his day."
Despite Ponting's remarkable run, former West Indies speedster Michael Holding insisted he rated countryman Brian Lara as the world's best batsman, pointing to his double century in Pakistan as evidence of his ongoing greatness against all attacks.
"Comparing eras is so hard. I really only compare players with who else is playing at the same time and at the moment I would still have Brian Lara as my number one," Holding said.
"Ricky Ponting is a wonderful batsman and in these conditions he will tear an attack apart if they don't maintain their line and length. You can't try to attack him. You have to keep it in the right spot and almost bore him out. You need to frustrate him out because in these conditions he is too good for that."
- DAN KOCH