SYDNEY, Feb 16: Australia captain Ricky Ponting may be struggling to cope with the demands of a long summer in the spotlight and a hectic schedule, according to his deputy Adam Gilchrist.

Ponting averages just over 10 with the bat in the ongoing limited-overs tri-series with India and Sri Lanka.

“I am sure he, like all of us, will have been worn down by a lot of the focus and a lot of the issues that have been around,” Gilchrist told reporters.

“We seem to have jumped from one thing to another, whether they be highly controversial or just issues that need to be dealt with,” added Gilchrist.

“Things like the Pakistan tour hanging around, the IPL (Indian Premier League), the Indian Test series and all the issues there in the (Harbhajan Singh) hearing.

“He has had to take the brunt of it and I think we have got to acknowledge that he does that and stands up and wants to do it, that’s his job.”

Gilchrist, who is retiring from international cricket after the tournament, is not concerned about Ponting’s form in the long term.—Reuters