"It is a masterstroke by the selectors to pick four quicks, " he said.

BBC: Ashes: England must regroup, says Graham Gooch

The opener struck 38 from 29 balls, using his feet to shuffle down the wicket to the quicks, before guiding Hilfenhaus to Mike Hussey in the 10th over.

BBC: South Africa seal one-day triumph

"If you played four quicks and you win the toss and bat and they don't get a chance to bowl on it until halfway through the second day if you bat well, whatever life that was in the pitch is probably gone, " said Ponting.

BBC: Ashes: Australia ponder four-man pace attack for Perth

It may be the only sensible way to approach the monstrous workload facing the modern international player, particularly given the physical demands made on the quicks, but rotation makes players less sure of their places in the side, makes it harder to forge a strong team culture, and may have had a role in bringing the current situation to a head.

WSJ: Aussie Wrangling Raises a Laugh