Ponting, lining up for his 157th Test against New Zealand at Brisbane’s Gabba Ground on Thursday, was enthusiastic in his support for his successor Michael Clarke and new coach Mickey Arthur being selectors in a major revamp. New selection chief John Inverarity has signalled a change in youth and rotation Test team policies, while Cricket Australia has appointed former rugby administrator Pat Howard as its high-performance manager.
Ponting, 36, under pressure to hold his place in Australia’s top order, said cricket was taking a more professional track under the new regime.

“I think it’s terrific. I think it’s the way the game should have gone a long, long time ago,” Ponting told reporters.

“I think the way things have turned out at the moment is what (former coach) John Buchanan was asking for 10 years ago.”