Clarke has been 'very high quality'

Ricky Ponting laughs when asked whether or not he was a better captain of Australia than Michael Clarke. Eighteen months into the job, Clarke's leadership has helped push the national team to a point where they can glimpse the world No. 1 ranking, a summitthat will be achieved if they can defeat South Africa at home in November. When he gave up the captaincy, Ponting had said he hoped to give Clarke the best chance of putting his stamp on a new team,something the younger man has done. Irrespective of their relativemerits as tacticians, Ponting and Clarke both need each other still, especially if Ponting can bat with the authority he showed against India last summer. While a little envious of the support network Clarke has around him as a result of the Argus review, Ponting is generous