Trust the Australians to show the way. A case in point is the smooth manner in which Ricky Ponting has been eased on to the driver's seat.

The Cricket Australia chairman puts out a note clearly and gracefully paying tribute to the outgoing captain and announcing who the new captain will be and why.

Unlike the BCCI, which disposes of our captains in an atmosphere of ill will and a miasma of rumours.

The new Australian captain has been graceful in acknowledging the contribution of Steve Waugh and his wife in transforming him from the bad boy of cricket to a leader of men.

Everyone knows that Waugh was tough. He proved it time and again. But many consider Ponting to be a worthy successor.

But will he be able to fill up Waugh's boots convincingly? Not many are willing to put their odds on Ponting matching Waugh.

While kudos fill the air, the Australian selectors also know that they are facing a greying side with many players not having more than a couple years left.

While tributes are still gushing in for iron man Waugh,  the selectors are caught in a controversy over former skipper Mark Taylor's allegations that the retirement was a deal with Waugh in return for a place in the team for the current Test series with India.

But controversies seem to matter little to Ponting as the confident new boss says he will do it his way.