Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting says his side are already looking forward to the next Ashes series with "a lot of excitement". "We're already talking about the Ashes this morning - that's a good sign, because there'll be a lot of excitement around," said Ponting ahead of his side's third Test against Pakistan starting Thursday.
"There's certainly lot of excitement around for players already but we'll make sure we finish off this summer in best way we possibly can first." England are in impressive form having saved two nail-biting Tests in South Africa, where they hold a 1-0 lead, prompting Ponting to predict a vintage Ashes series.
"It will definitely make for a great summer next year," Ponting said. "In three of last six or seven Tests they've played they've managed to hold on for draws like that, first one against us (in Cardiff) and then two over there (in Centurion & Cape Town). Little things like that, although you're never in the position to win a game, they can still be difference between winning and losing a series, as we saw with our Ashes series.
The pain of losing Ashes in England for a second time encouraged Ponting to think about returning on 2013 tour. He may not make it that far, but he certainly will be in charge when first opportunity for revenge arrives at the Gabba in November and he wants his men to continue in way they have attacked this summer.