Australia duo receive backing

Ricky Ponting has overseen Australia's successes in the past five years as captain

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Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke has defended captain Ricky Ponting and national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch over the criticism the pair received following Australia's Test series loss to South Africa.

Speaking on the opening day of the third Test at the SCG, Clarke insisted that both Ponting and Hilditch deserve respect and support after playing a crucial role in the success of the Australian game for more than a decade.

"Australian cricket has been extraordinarily successful over the past 15 years. In February 2008 the Australian men's team held every ICC inter-country trophy available to it except the ICC World Twenty20," he said

"Ricky Ponting has been an Australian player since 1995, ODI captain since March 2002 and Test captain since March 2004, while Andrew Hilditch has been a selector since 1996 and the chairman of selectors since 2006."

Clarke responded publicly after Ponting attracted criticism over his captaincy and poor body language during the first two Tests at the WACA and the MCG.

Hilditch and his fellow selectors have also been under fire after some controversial decisions went sour, most notably the continual picking of Andrew Symonds over Shane Watson despite the all-rounder carrying an injured knee which prevented him from bowling.

Ponting and Andrew Hilditch have come under fire from members of the Australia public and media

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"Both men have been crucial to the Australian men's team's success during this period and I believe that they have recently received unfair criticism.

"However this is not to say they, their team-mates, their co-selectors or Cricket Australia should be immune from balanced criticism," Clarke said.

"When assessing the results of the Australian team, it should be noted that great players have retired over the past two years. Players of this calibre are not replaced overnight and in some cases ever.

"We have suffered two Test losses to a magnificent South African team and we congratulate them on their success.

"At times like this when Australian cricket is challenged, Ricky and his team, and Andrew and his selectors, have the support of Cricket Australia.

"They now have a chance to leave their most important legacy in managing the current transition from the great team of the last 15 years to rebuilding the dynasty.

"They deserve and have earned our respect."