Melbourne, Dec. 30 : With Australia losing its first series at home since 1992-93, skipper Ricky Ponting is expecting the national selectors to change the team's composition.

The nine-wicket defeat to South Africa in Melbourne today to give the visitors a two-nil series victory means that Australia now has no choice but to abandon the present and rebuild for the future.

According to Fox Sports, Australian cricket has gone into a freefall during the Boxing Day Test, notwithstanding Ponting''s tragic heroics (101 an 99).

Melbourne, Dec 26 : Poking fun at Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, his South African counterpart Graeme Smith has given him a crash course on the etiquette of body language.

In a week during which Ponting has faced strong criticism on several fronts, Smith strapped on the Boxing Day gloves by claiming his opposite number had been a captain under pressure for some time, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Melbourne, Dec 23 : Skipper Ricky Ponting, who has been termed Captain Pout for not supporting his young pace attack when it was flayed all over at WACA, has been termed as Australian sport's most marketable star.

Ponting, who might have lost his gloss, should sign up for every luxury watch, vitamin pill and car oil endorsement he can get his hands on, the Courier Mail has said.

The 33-year-old Tasmanian, who took the title from Ian Thorpe last winter, pipped retired swimmer Grant Hackett (No. 2) at the top of a list which includes no fewer than seven retired sports stars in its top 10.

That's seemingly an honour reserved for whoever sits in the Australian cricket team captain's chair.

Sydney, Dec. 17 : The man who last captained a touring side to a Test series victory in Australia believes South Africa are not up to the task of dethroning Ricky Ponting''s men.

Richie Richardson, who led the West Indies to a famous 2-1 victory over Australia in the 1992-93 season, said Ponting''s side remained the strongest in world cricket despite the retirements of key personnel.

The former Antiguan batsman was unconvinced South Africa had shaken their "choker" tag, which has haunted them through so many Australian campaigns.

Perth, Dec. 17 : A desperate Australian captain Ricky Ponting has instructed pace bowler Brett Lee to taken on a leadership role in attacking the South African batters during their series Down Under.

Lee, who has played 74 Tests and taken over 300 wickets, Ponting has been asked to make an instant impact in the absence of his injured new-ball partner Stuart Clark.

"Brett''s really up for the challenge. I''ve singled him out in the team meeting yesterday (Monday) as the leader of the attack," the Daily Telegraph quoted Ponting as saying after training.

"I know he really enjoys that role so I''ve put it back on to him to make sure he''s leading the way right from the start of this series," he added.