Ricky Ponting is still convinced he remains the best man to lead Australia's Ashes bid despite overseeing the team's worst losing streak in 22 years.
A defiant Ponting faced criticism from former team-mate Shane Warne and ex-Australia paceman Geoff Lawson, WITH Warne questioning his field settings to off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, while Lawson called for the skipper to hand the leadership to Michael Clarke for the Ashes series.
The Australians' world ranking has slipped to five after three consecutive Test losses - their worst run since 1988. Asked by the media if he was still the right man for the job, Ponting replied firmly: "Absolutely - I've got no doubt about that at all. I will give my absolute best as I always have since I've been the Australian captain ... to be the best leader I can be and the best player I can be. I'm trying to do the best I can as captain to help some of these guys through some difficult times. If I get criticised along the way, I can't do anything about that."
Ponting admitted to being concerned at Australia's slide down the Test rankings, with Ashes holders England now above them. "We were always very proud of the fact we were the number one-ranked team in Test cricket and one-day cricket for such a long period of time," added Ponting. "Our Test form has not been as you would have liked. It's bad - no-one's proud of the fact we've lost three Test matches in a row. But I've got great confidence in all the players that will represent Australia this year."