pontings come a long way with faith since perth v india last year when he had nothing but disdain for johnson and tait and would barely bowl them. he had no sense then of how hard johnson and tait were trying the limitlessness of their desire. the lack of result from this effort was not something ponting was used to he imagined they were not putting in or interested. over the last few weeks ponting learnt how effort can only so vaguely be statistically represented. he has also learnt how effort learns and through persistence comes to make a better showing of itself. faith in effort an allowance of time pontings declaration is fantastic its a game and pontings playing it to win despite the difficulties apparent in his attack. he sees now that his attack is robust and free from question he has faith no effort is lacking. bollinger will take 5.

should things fall against australia we will watch with interest how punters faith develops and beard grows