The latest alarming reverse for the Aussies comes just 20 days before the start of the Ashes series but Ponting insisted that within the team, spirits remain reasonably upbeat.
In 1976 Daniel and Ozzie Silna, New Jersey brothers who'd made a small fortune in textiles, owned an American Basketball Association team known as the Spirits of St.
With 15 minutes played Paul Burns tried to lift the Doonhamer's spirits with a promising run into the penalty area, but found opposition in the shape of his team-mate Stewart Kean and the move dried up.