I've always thought Ponting was an average captain who inherited a champion team, but at the same time the selectors keep giving him 3 cards and expect him to make a full house.
When McGrath and Warne were in the team then playing guys like Clarke, Symonds and Hussey as the 5th bowler was a viable option, but now it's asking for trouble.
I know Clarke/Hussey have been quite economical in this game, but without a genuine 5th bowler there isn't much else Ponting can do except give Johnson and Tait the ball in this situation.