Mark Webber lends Ponting his ear

Australian sportsmen are a friendly bunch – with eachother, if not always their opponents. Mark Webber, the Australian Formula 1 driver, was spotted at Wimbledon last week with his fellow countryman Lleyton Hewitt, who seems to have developed a new lease for life, demonstrating his characteristic whippet-like scampering across the baseline and raucous “come on!” calls to his fans.

It goes without saying who Hewitt thinks will win the Ashes – “you got lucky in 05” was his relievingly-predictable jibe last week – and in the meantime, Webber was today spotted chatting to Ricky Ponting at a training session, ahead of their match against England Lions in Worcester on Wednesday. Australia may not have a spinner worth his salt, but as anyone who lives in London will confirm, they are not lacking support.