EXCLUSIVE: Ricky Ponting signs for Surrey

Even though Ponting appears to have given up on the Ashes, consider the following scenario: two Australian batsmen suffer injuries during the early part of the series.

At the same time, Ponting is scoring dozens of runs in county cricket right under the noses of some of his former team-mates. It is easy to see Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur, Australia’s captain and coach respectively, deciding to send for the Tasmanian – and equally straightforward to imagine what his response would be.

Yet when Ponting arrives in England this summer, his priority will be Surrey alone. It was already an impressive effort for the county to secure the signing of Smith, generally regarded as the finest Test captain in the modern international game, and this is another eye-catching deal.

Smith and Ponting are two of the most successful international players of recent times. The salary cap for counties’ playing staff is £1.9million but Surrey say they can accommodate the wages of both men within that structure.

The pair could even play in the same side during the domestic Twenty20 competition in July, but not in the Championship, where only one overseas player per team is permitted. Surrey hope that, like Smith, Ponting’s presence will not only improve results, but guide promising young batsmen like Rory Burns, Jason Roy and Zafar Ansari.

It is not yet decided whether Ponting will lead the side in Smith’s absence, with the final call on that left to the South African.

“Working with young players is one of the exciting things about this,” Ponting told Surrey TV. “For an experienced international player, it’s fun to play alongside young guys, learn about them and try to impart some knowledge, whether that be technical or tactical.

“Graeme Smith will start the season there, we’ve played a lot against each other and we’re pretty similar in how we play and see the game. There are lots of exciting times ahead for the young Surrey players, and hopefully some of the experienced ones will be able to learn a bit from Graeme and me as well.

“I’m exceptionally excited to be back in England. I’ve only had one chance to play in county cricket before now, and I’ve always said I wanted to come back. I’m thankful that I’ll get that chance with Surrey.”