While Ponting's men struggled at times in 2-0 win over West Indies, they comprehensively outplayed Pakistan, save for first two days of drama-charged Sydney Test. "It's been a great series and a great summer for us," he said. "I think we have improved a lot through the summer. "We've been very clinical in the way we have played our Test cricket against (Pakistan) in last few weeks so I am really happy with what we've achieved."
Most pleasing for Ponting is emergence of Shane Watson, player of series against Pakistan, and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, who enjoyed a breakthough series. After taking 3-30 on Monday as Pakistan were dismissed for 206, Hauritz effectively bowled Australia to victory in fourth innings of all three Tests and ended the summer with 29 wickets at 26.82.
Watson was leading scorer with 609 runs at 60.9, while he added 13 valuable wickets at 25.84 with his variety of medium pacers. Asked if he felt there were any boxes left unticked following 2-1 Ashes series loss in England, Ponting said: "I don't think there are to tell the truth, no. "I am really comfortable with way lot of guys have come on through the summer.
Watson in opening role was something we probably weren't entirely sure about coming into summer, but I think he has put his own stamp on that particularly well as he has with his bowling as well. "Hauritz stepped up to take 18 wickets in this series alone, on two wickets in Melbourne and Hobart that didn't really offer much for him at all. That sort of return from a finger spinner is a great effort."
The improvement of Doug Bollinger (25 wickets at 20.8) and return to form of second Test star Mike Hussey (502 at 55.77) and Mitchell Johnson (29 wickets at 27) also has Australia looking a far more settled side. But skipper is not resting on his laurels, especially with England forcing a 1-1 series draw in South Africa. After one-day series against Pakistan & West Indies, Aussies next head to New Zealand for two Tests in March and also have two more Tests against Pakistan in England before the Ashes start in Brisbane in November.