Cricket: There, but for the grace of Hilditch, go I...

Ricky Ponting has come out in support of Simon Katich when the former captain appeared on the AFL Footy Show. Given the respective ages of the two veterans, and their recent records, the fact that Katich missed out on a contract while Ponting remained on the 25 man list was certainly a contrast in fortunes. Ponting is around eight months older, and his last century came in January 2010, while Katich's was in March 2010. Since their last centuries, Ponting has made 593 Test runs at an average of just over 31, while Katich has made 394 at just under 33. In the most recent Ashes series, Ponting made 113 runs at just 16.14, missing one test with injury and failing to pass 20 after the first test in Brisbane. Katich made 97 at 24.25, and was injured for the last three tests.  

Ponting's likely replacement is currently Usman Khawaja, who made 37 and 21 in the Sydney test in Ponting's absence and made 613 Shield runs at 61.3 last summer, while Katich's replacement Phil Hughes made 628 in the Shield at 41.86 (with two centuries in his last two matches) and 97 at 16.16 in the Ashes tests. Given those numbers, Ponting can be very thankful to still be in the hunt for a test spot, especially relative to Katich. Mike Hussey's brilliant last few months has staved off his axing, as has the absence of alternatives pushing for his spot, so we'll moderate Ponting's comment that "It puts us 36 year-olds on notice now, Mike Hussey and myself. It's going to make us work that little bit harder." Mike Hussey didn't get the name 'Mr Cricket' by being a shirker on the work front, and if Ponting didn't feel he was on notice after losing the captaincy, then he's getting as slow on the uptake as he is on the hook shot.

Back to the Katich situation though, my biggest concern is the selectors' apparent focus on the 2013 Ashes as a driving reason for the change. It might be the most prestigious series for historical reasons, and the longest series in terms of tests played, but it is an insult to India and South Africa to infer that they are mere training stepping stones in between Ashes engagements. It is important to be keeping the side refreshed and balanced in terms of age and experience, both now and into the future, but there are plenty of tests to be won and lost between now and then, and too many losses may well see plenty of players and selectors turned over before then. It would not be pretty to see the opening batsmen turned over with anything near the frequency of spinners, and yet both Khawaja and Shaun Marsh have put their hand up for the opening spot, while other names like Ed Cowan and Nic Maddinson have been thrown around, and indifferent form from Hughes and/or injury to Shane Watson could make for 'interesting' times.

NBA: Dallas Mavericks Take Game 5 as LeBron Falters Again

The Dallas Mavericks will head to Miami with two chances to take the NBA championship after winning game 5 112-103 to take a 3-2 series lead. In another close contest, Dallas got away to a 9 point lead late in the third quarter before a Miami Heat surge in the fourth saw them take a 99-95 lead to the distress of the Dallas crowd. However, the Mavericks again stepped up under pressure at the business end, continuing to make 3-pointers (as they had done all night - 13 of 19) through the Jasons, Kidd and Terry, while Dirk Nowitzki continued to make clutch throws, finishing with 29 points. Terry had a big game finishing with 21 while Barea also provided crucial support with 17.  

For the Heat, an injury to Dwyane Wade stripped him of court time, although he led their scoring with 23 after coming back to the court to spark their 4th quarter resurgence, while Bosh had 19 and LeBron James 17. James faced plenty of questions and accusations after his 8-point effort in game 4, and responded with a triple-double, but only contributed two-points in the last quarter to have just 11 last quarter points in the five finals matches. Once again, the Mav's old-timers had too much composure when the stakes were highest, and probably too much depth, although Haslem and Chalmers registered double-figure points tonight.

The Heat certainly have the firepower to win the last two games at home, but whether they can deal with the pressure remains to be seen. While LeBron was better tonight, he will need to be better again in Miami, otherwise Wade might be left with too much to do.