Ponting fails to rise for the Ashes

Australia captain Ricky Ponting, the second most prolific Test batsman of all time, has struggled at the crease so far in the Ashes series against England.

Following are details of the 35-year-old's five innings in the 2010-11 series after he was dismissed for 12 in the third Test on Thursday:

FIRST TEST (Brisbane, drawn)

First innings: c Prior b Anderson 10

Ponting, who had scored 196 in the corresponding innings of the 2006-07 series, was caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior after attempting to glance a James Anderson delivery down the leg side.

Second innings: not out 51

Ponting grabbed his 56th test half century as Australia batted out the final day of the test after England had declared on 517-1.

SECOND TEST (Adelaide, England won by an innings and 71 runs)

First innings: c Swann b Anderson 0

Australia were already a wicket down after Simon Katich was run out on the fourth ball of the match when Ponting went for a golden duck after getting an outside edge to an Anderson delivery that Graeme Swann swooped to catch at second slip.

Second innings: c Collingwood b Swann 9

Playing in his 150th Test, Ponting survived a thorough 21-minute examination from spinner Swann before getting a thick edge to the 19th ball he faced with Paul Collingwood taking a good catch at first slip.

THIRD TEST (Perth, ongoing)

First innings: c Collingwood b Anderson 12

Ponting nicked an Anderson delivery to the slips where Collingwood made a superb one-handed catch, leaping high to his right to leave Australia 17 for two in the fifth over.

So far, in the ongoing Ashes, Ponting has made just 80 runs in three Tests at a lowly average of 20.50. He would be hoping Australia could salvage atleast a draw in the third Test at Perth after being bowled out for 268 in the first innings or else England would successfully retain the Ashes, while this could be the last series for Ponting as the captain.