Runs maketh the man that the wild boy Ponting has become

Australia's No 3, Ricky Ponting, notched up his 14th Test hundred against England yesterday. It was a good knock, though not one of his best, but it should have come as no surprise because the diminutive Tasmanian is in the form of his life. He has scored five centuries in his last seven Test matches.

This, however, was not a typical Ponting innings. It was unlike his hundred in the First Test in Brisbane, which was full of flowing drives and vicious pull shots. When he passed three figures at the Gabba he had struck 10 fours and two sixes. Yesterday the ball had only reached the boundary four times off his bat.

While this pitch holds no terrors, conditionsare not as conducive to strokeplay as Brisbane. But Ponting adapted his game-plan and, showing a growing maturity, batted in a resolute and responsible way.

"I am going through a great patch at the moment," he said. "The last few months have been pretty satisfying and statistically this is the best I have played, but I didn't hit the ball that well in this game. It is obviously satisfying, though, to have scored 150 and still not be over the moon about the way it went."

For the player who many tip to be the successor to Steve Waugh as the next Australian captain – even though Adam Gilchrist is the current vice-captain of the Test side – this was the innings of a leader. In many ways it was the type of nuggety performance regularly churned out by the man he is likely to replace. The reason for the assumption that he will take over when Waugh steps aside is because Ponting is already the captain of Australia's one-day side. The 27-year-old took over in February when Waugh and his twin Mark – Australia's top two run-scorers in one-day cricket – were surprisingly dropped from their one-day set- up. He started his term as captain by walloping South Africa 5-1 and is reportedly doing a fine job.

The fact that Ponting is likely to be Australia's next captain will come as a surprise to some. Since scoring 96 on his debut against Sri Lanka in 1995-96 he has had an impressive record on the field. However, he has had his troubles off it. He is nicknamed "Punter" because of his love of gambling, and those troubles came to a head in January 1999. Ponting had just been dropped from the Australian side after the Third Test of England's 1998-99 Ashes tour. He was in a run of poor form and Australia, as they have now, had plenty of good batsmen only too willing to step in. He had played 22 Test matches, scored two hundreds, was averaging 33.64 and underachieving.

Out on the town in the King's Cross area of Sydney, Ponting was involved in a late-night brawl outside the famous 24- hour watering hole, the Bourbon and Beef Steak bar. Following this fracas and in an attempt to explain how one of the country's most talented sportsmen could get involved in such an incident, the Australian Cricket Board organised a press conference. At it Ponting openly admitted he had a problem with alcohol and it was something he needed to sort out.

Sort it out he has, and since those unsavoury days he has transformed his career. Even at press conferences, as after yesterday's play, the difference can be seen. Gone is the rough diamond, replaced by the well-spoken professional.

As well as missing the last two Tests against England in 1998-99 he was overlooked for the first two on Australia's subsequent tour of the West Indies. He was recalled for the Third Test in Barbados at the expense of Greg Blewett. Realising that opportunities in the Australian batting line-up do not come along too often, Ponting had to make the most of his chance; whichhe did by immediately scoring his third Test century. In the 39 Tests he has played since his misdemeanour he has scored 12 hundreds and averaged 57.22.

Theposition he finds himself in, No 3, has not always been his. Ponting started his international career at No 6. He was promoted to three at the start of Australia's 2001 tour of England and this is where he has remained. By moving into this responsible and prestigious position, though, he has maintained the tradition of it being the property of a Tasmanian. Ponting did not move straight into David Boon's shoes. He bided his time, scored his runs but eventually followed in the footsteps of Tasmania's favourite son.

As well as being Waugh-like, yesterday's hundred could also be described as Boon-like. His first 50 on Friday crept up on you, because there was hardly a shot to remember. Ponting did not hit his first boundary until he was on 42, but other than a nervous spell in the nineties he looked in control. And it was only when he passed three figures that he started opening his shoulders and having fun. During his 349-minute stay at the crease he was given fine support from Damien Martyn. Together this pair took their side past England's disappointing total of 342 with a record third-wicket partnership of 242 for Australia at Adelaide.

While England were in Hobart playing against Australia A last week, Boon's efforts in an outstanding career were rewarded by a lifesize statue of him unveiled at the Bellerive Oval. If Ponting carries on playing as he has in the last three-and-a-half years it will not be too long before the Tasmanian Cricket Board are on the phone to another sculptor.