Ricky Ponting has expressed his desire to continue playing, stating that, "I don't see a finish line yet". But has the near 37 year old former captain got what it takes to maintain his place in a side, especially considering the young potential waiting in the ranks? Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Phillip Hughes and David Warner are all fighting for top order positions in the current Australian outfit. With Watson, Clarke and Hussey's positions safe, pressure is surely being applied on the plight of 'Punter'. The only way he can retain and secure his place is through weight of runs.
Ponting has scored one international century in his past 53 innings for Australia. There have been many calls for Ponting to announce his retirement or be dropped. However, the ageing batsman declares he feels he's batting not far off as well as ever. Is Ponting lying to us or is he truly hitting the ball just as well as he says? They say that the proof is in the pudding, and there's no doubt there are promising signs when he's in the middle, but recent scores of 2, 29, 11, 10 and 63 in South Africa, leave quite a bit to the imagination. Ponting was undoubtedly one of the most dominant batsman in a generation, yet the Ponting of old seems a far cry from the demoted, dethroned and diminutive man who continues to struggle on today.
I have always felt that a quality batsman should never be dropped for someone on a mere hot form streak. You cannot substitute pure class for some lucky hit and miss innings. I know Ponting is not what he once was, but I think there remains a place in the Australian side for him, no better demonstrated by than a hook shot for six to get Ponting off the mark in the first test against South Africa today. He must first turn around his below par form and restore some confidence in his ability to be consistent. If he fails to do this in South Africa with at least one decent innings, I fear I'll have to join the chorus calling for him to step down.
So why should Ponting remain in the side? And on a contrasting note, why should he be dropped? Firstly, He is the most experienced man in the Australian outfit. With much wisdom to share among many new faces who need advice. He has seen all conditions, all attacks, he knows how to construct an innings and has been on the brink of becoming an all-time great. Ponting has a sound technique and the ability to forcefully dissect a bowling attack in a matter of several overs. On the other hand, Ponting has averaged 33.00 this year, 36.95 in 2010 and 38.77 the year previously, in test cricket. Since the start of 2009, he has converted a mere two innings into centuries. Cricket is undoubtedly a game of statistics and the stats don't lie when they say Ponting is well below his best in recent times.
The ultimatum has surely been laid down. Score runs or apply to join the commentary team. Ponting must perform now or he won't have another chance. We could soon see the end of a superb, but disappointingly finished career. Hopefully however, we will see a resurgence, similar to that of Tendulkar's, where the former skipper can rekindle the fire within that took him to the pinnacle of test cricket. The ability surely lies within. But, as Greg Chappell once famously stated in reference to himself, he's not batting badly, he's just getting out.
 |
| Ricky Ponting gets off the mark with a six |
I have always felt that a quality batsman should never be dropped for someone on a mere hot form streak. You cannot substitute pure class for some lucky hit and miss innings. I know Ponting is not what he once was, but I think there remains a place in the Australian side for him, no better demonstrated by than a hook shot for six to get Ponting off the mark in the first test against South Africa today. He must first turn around his below par form and restore some confidence in his ability to be consistent. If he fails to do this in South Africa with at least one decent innings, I fear I'll have to join the chorus calling for him to step down.
So why should Ponting remain in the side? And on a contrasting note, why should he be dropped? Firstly, He is the most experienced man in the Australian outfit. With much wisdom to share among many new faces who need advice. He has seen all conditions, all attacks, he knows how to construct an innings and has been on the brink of becoming an all-time great. Ponting has a sound technique and the ability to forcefully dissect a bowling attack in a matter of several overs. On the other hand, Ponting has averaged 33.00 this year, 36.95 in 2010 and 38.77 the year previously, in test cricket. Since the start of 2009, he has converted a mere two innings into centuries. Cricket is undoubtedly a game of statistics and the stats don't lie when they say Ponting is well below his best in recent times.
The ultimatum has surely been laid down. Score runs or apply to join the commentary team. Ponting must perform now or he won't have another chance. We could soon see the end of a superb, but disappointingly finished career. Hopefully however, we will see a resurgence, similar to that of Tendulkar's, where the former skipper can rekindle the fire within that took him to the pinnacle of test cricket. The ability surely lies within. But, as Greg Chappell once famously stated in reference to himself, he's not batting badly, he's just getting out.
No comments:
Post a Comment