England turned the screws on Australia's embattled leadership yesterday with Ricky Ponting's dismal run of form in the Ashes continuing on the opening day of the third Test in Perth.<br /><br />  <table style="width: 109px; height: 42px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="109" align="right" border="1">  <tbody>  <tr>  <td><img alt="" src="/imagedata/2010/dec/Ponting1.jpg" border="0" /></td></tr>  <tr>  <td>  <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 8pt">Ricky Ponting edges to Paul Collingwood on the first day of the Perth Test yesterday. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 8pt">pic/Getty images</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>The Australian captain and his deputy Michael Clarke both fell cheaply as England's pace attack capitalised on a grassy pitch to have the home side floundering at 36-4 before they fought back to 268 all-out.<br /><br />Ponting, who had said it was time for him to lead the way with the bat, got off the mark fortuitously with an edge through a vacant fourth slip from the bowling of the recalled Chris Tremlett for a boundary.<br /><br />Then he was brilliantly caught by Paul Collingwood at third slip off the bowling of James Anderson for 12.<br /><br />Ponting admitted this week his future as captain was uncertain. However, veteran Mike Hussey, himself on the verge of being axed before the series, but now revelling in a remarkable run of rejuvenated form, backed his skipper to rebound in similar fashion.<br /><br />"It is a fine line and Ricky was unlucky to be caught out by an amazing catch," he said.<br /><br />"Ricky is such a champion batsman, champion bloke and champion captain that I am sure he will be fine."

England turned the screws on Australia's embattled leadership yesterday with Ricky Ponting's dismal run of form in the Ashes continuing on the opening day of the third Test in Perth.

Ponting was unlucky to be caught: Hussey

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Ponting was unlucky to be caught: Hussey

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