Ponting to step down

[Bgoodorgoodatit]

Ricky Ponting expected to step down as Australia captain

March 29, 2011 - 10:20AM

• Comments 8

Set to step down ... Ricky Ponting. Photo: Reuters

Ricky Ponting is expected to quit as Australia's cricket captain later today.
Ponting is believed to have decided to relinquish his one-day and Test captaincy roles with his deputy Michael Clarke tipped to take over.
Cricket Australia has scheduled a media conference for 1pm AEDT at the SCG for a "major announcement involving a senior Australian cricketer".
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Ricky Ponting leads his team from the field after their World Cup quarter-final loss. Photo: Getty Images

The 36-year-old Ponting said on return from Australia's exit from the World Cup at the quarter-final stage he was considering his captaincy future.
Ponting is expected to announce he wants to remain in the side as a batsman.
"That's where the next few days are crucial for me, I have to really decide what I think is right for me and the team going forward," said Ponting at the weekend.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting cuts during his last innings, an heroic centrury against India in the World Cup quarter-final loss. Photo: AFP

"I've still got a lot to offer the team as a player and leader."
Ponting has captained Australia in 77 Test matches for 48 wins - the most of any Test skipper - 16 losses and 13 draws. His 227 one-day matches in charge returned 163 wins, 50 losses and two World Cups.
But following a recent lean stretch with the bat, Ponting became tetchy in Australia's failed World Cup defence.
Click for more photos
The life and times of Ricky Ponting

After making his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Perth, Ricky Ponting smashes a six during day two of the second Test of the series in Melbourne in December 1995. Photo: Vince Caligiuri


Twice, Ponting apologised for, he says inadvertently, damaging a dressing room television and his reaction to colliding with teammate Steve Smith when taking a catch.
But the Tasmanian ended his run drought in the quarter-final with a stellar century as his side lost to India.
Ponting returned home softening to the idea of standing down as captain, with a decision forced by Wednesday's selection of Australia's squad for a three-match ODI tour of Bangladesh next month.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket...down-as-australia-captain-20110329-1cdur.html

good move if true

he still has alot to offer batting 4 or 5 in test matches and i beleive will play better without the presure of captaincy.

 

[Mr Angry]

Much respect......please keep batting for us Ricky.

 

[yappy]

I don't know if him trying to hang on as a bat is really a good move. At least one of him, Kat and Hussey (preferably 2) need to be moved on. Having half of your top 6 over 35 isn't a great idea. Also there is far too much chance of friction between him and Clarke. I'm sure he would do his best to support the new skipper, but I really can't see it in his nature not to stick his nose in and undermine the authority of his successor (even if inadvertently). He should be told to go and hit the golf course. Thanks for everything, but we're building for the future not trying to hold onto the past. Here's channel 9's number, go and replace Healy on the team.

 

[hineyrulz]

I've got no problem with him staying on form permitting, there is no doubt he is still one of our top 6 batsman and we will need him to do well against somevery good teams coming up. Feel sorry for Clarke who will be taking over a complete mess.

 

[Twizzle]

good news on both counts, assuming its gonna happen

 

[Mr Angry]

It is official Twiz, saw the news conference. Ricky has stood down, he endorsed Clarke as captain, but that is not official.

 

[Twizzle]

looks like he has bowed to the pressure of his peers

 

[Noa]

Punter you shifty c-a-r-n-t. Setting Clarke up for a short stay at the top.

 

[aussies1st]

He should retire from the ODI team, may as well let the youngsters develop for the next WC.

 

[skeepe]

A very sad day.

Congratulations on a fine captaincy Ricky. You don't become the most successful Test captain of all time for no reason.

 

[hineyrulz]

A very sad day.

Congratulations on a fine captaincy Ricky. You don't become the most successful Test captain of all time for no reason.

No you don't, it helps being handed one of the greatest team of all time......

 

[snoozer]

thank f**k.

now we can move forward.

happy for him to continue in the test team if his batting holds up.
keep him the f**k away from he odi's.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

No you don't, it helps being handed one of the greatest team of all time......

I don't buy this at all. South Africa have been favourites to win the world cup pretty much every world cup since re-admission and have had the squad to do it but have choked big time. Talent alone doesn't get a team over the line and the successful period of Ponting's captaincy was the same as Steve Waugh's and Tubby's and AB's and it was all about attitude and the belief they could go out there and win the game and Ponting often did lead from the front in that regard. Ponting has been made an easy scapegoat when in reality the administrators should be taking the blame for our decline by not fully preparing for the post-Warne apocalypse.

Ponting has made mistakes in tactics and we've been in decline for a few years but Ponting does deserve his fair share of the credit. Steve Waugh walked in to a champion team that was a decade in the making and is hailed as one of the greatest ever.

 

[Big Pete]

Sad week really with both Ponting and Lockyer making their futures clear.

Good on ya Punter and here's to the future of Australian cricket.

 

[beads6]

Am I the only one who gets annoyed when people carry on about how good the record of Ricky Pontings is???

Congrats on a a great career Punter you have served Australia well with the Bat. I hope you find some form and help us bet India this summer then Retire and enjoy your life.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Punter is a legend with the bat and in the field.

But he is not and has never been a great captain , it's more than just the win/loss record. It's decsions he made , players he put in , players he left out.

Personally i'm pretty worried about him staying in the team , Ive never been a fan of captains playing on late in their career like this. Sure if he had of stepped down in his late 20's early 30's , but he's 36 ffs.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

He's been a good captain and a great batsman over the years, not sure if this decision will do him good but I wish him the best.

Id probably give him another year as a 'batsman'.

 

[Pete Cash]

At the end of the day he is the best bat we have produced in a long time. It will be a sad day to see him retire because he is the last of that great Australian generation of players. I think it might be an idea for him to move into the middle order to add some starch and perhaps keep Khawaja in at three in the test side ??

 

[Mr Angry]

Sachin Tendulkar managed a great season after standing down.

Ricky will be fine.

I am more worried about the make up around from the new captain.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Sachin Tendulkar managed a great season after standing down.

Ricky will be fine.

I am more worried about the make up around from the new captain.

Tendulkar stepped down as captain @ 28

Ponting is 36!

It isnt even in the same ball park.