The latter has dug his team out of many a hole over the past couple of years, and the team management might be inclined to judge his current poor form leniently, but Ponting definitely needs a good series to keep his Test career alive.

WSJ: A Boxing Day Treat to Savor

The 46-year-old said that the media were "baying" for the judge to make an example of him but asked Lord Bracadale to treat him as leniently as possible.

BBC: Tommy Sheridan jailed for three years for perjury