The 2006–07 Ashes series was eagerly anticipated, and for Ricky Ponting's Australian team it played out like a dream, as they destroyed England 5–0. It was the first Ashes clean sweep in 86 years, and it featured some stunning performances with the captain drawing comparisons with Bradman following his hundreds in the first two Tests.

After the final Test, Ponting described the series as 'the best period of my cricketing life'. Yet, an even more commanding performance was around the corner, as the Australians won all their matches decisively at the World Cup in the West Indies. Not even the bizarre ending to the final against Sri Lanka, in near darkness after officials misinterpreted the playing conditions, could hide the fact that this triumph was one of the most dominant in Australian sporting history.

While there may never be another season of sustained triumph quite like 2006–07, in Ricky Ponting's eyes the future of the Australian cricket still looks very good indeed.