Cricket Australia sets Ponting captaincy deadline

SYDNEY: Under-fire Australia captain Ricky Ponting was given just three days to decide his future on Monday as selectors said the next one-day squad would be announced on Wednesday.

Ponting, who let slip Australia's 12-year grasp on the World Cup last week - just three months after their heavy Ashes defeat - has already hinted that he may step down.

Cricket Australia said a squad for next month's three-match one-day tour of Bangladesh was expected to be announced on Wednesday, effectively setting a deadline for the veteran skipper.

Ponting, 36, returned home on Sunday following Australia's quarterfinal exit from the World Cup at the hands of India, saying he was considering his position this week.

"I'll have the opportunity over the next couple of days to reflect on where things are headed for me and certainly what direction I feel things are heading for the betterment of Australian cricket," the Test and one-day captain told reporters.

"I have to really decide what I think is right for me and the team going forward."

Australia play three one-day matches against Bangladesh on April 9, 11 and 13, with Ponting previously stating that he wanted to lead the team on the tour.

But Ponting has since suggested he could quit as captain, saying he was prepared to play on under the likely leadership of his deputy Michael Clarke and bat anywhere in the order.

"I see myself as a leader around the group, simple as that, whether I'm captain or not I still think I've got a lot to offer as far as leadership qualities go," he said.

Though heartened by support of teammates and senior officials, Ponting said he was "absolutely" prepared to drop down the order and step down as captain "if that's what they (CA) and I believe is the best way forward".

Ponting, who has been under attack since the 3-1 Ashes series defeat to England, scored a fighting 104 but it was not enough to prevent India from knocking the champions out in last Thursday's quarterfinal in Ahmedabad.

He has now presided over the end of Australia's 12-year run as World Cup champions after his third Ashes series defeat as captain to England.

Ponting, who has been captain for nine years, had a difficult World Cup, taking a reprimand from the International Cricket Council after smashing a dressing-room TV in a fit of fury after being run out against Zimbabwe.

He was also criticised for angrily throwing the ball to the ground after colliding with teammate Steven Smith during their victory against Canada, and for failing to walk in the group match defeat by Pakistan.

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India rewrite history. Send Australia packing.

India batsman Yuvraj Singh whoops it upon driving in the decisive runs in Thursday's five-wicket victory over Australia.

It is not often that Ricky Ponting scores a gritty century and ends up on the losing side, especially in a World Cup. But he did as India avenged their 2003 World Cup defeat at the hands of Australia in glorious fashion. The second quarterfinal in Ahmedabad between the two heavy weights was always going to be more than just a match. For some, it was the final before the final. And indeed, the meeting more than lived up to the hype with the home team overcoming some tense moments to romp home with 5 wickets in hand.

A sense of anticipation hung in the air as Ricky Ponting put his boys in to bat first. R Ashwin opened the bowling with Zaheer Khan on a dry and crumbly pitch getting drier and crumblier by the minute. After danger man Shane Watson (25) was castled by Ashwin and the team score at 40-1, Brad Haddin took on the responsibility of punishing loose deliveries mercilessly. Munaf Patel soon became the opener's bunny, as Haddin brought up his fourth tournament half-century off the medium-pacer. However, Yuvraj Singh soon got the breakthrough and Haddin was gone for 53.

On the other end, his skipper, Ponting, had been putting together a chanceless knock that went a long way in restoring his confidence. The middle overs were soon to become a battle of the captains. As Ponting played out an impeccable innings steeped in class, MS Dhoni constantly came at him with different bowlers from both ends and used Zaheer Khan's capabilities with the old ball judiciously. There was also a palpable intensity in the Indian fielding today, with new inclusions Raina and R Ashwin ensuring that the Indians had around 20 fewer runs to chase. In the end, the Australians notched up a competitive score of 260-6 notwithstanding Ponting's dismissal on 104 in the penultimate over.

A fluent start by both Indian openers was not to last long, with the tentative-looking Virender Sehwag wassurprised by a Shane Watson delivery in the 9th over. Tendulkar, in the meantime, carried on with some fearless play, opening the full face of the bat to smack some glorious drives to the boundary. He, however, lived a tad dangerously en route to 18,000 ODI runs and yet another sublime half-century. The little master jabbed at a Shaun Tait delivery in the 19th over, which saw him back in the pavilion on 53 with India at 94-2.

Virat Kohli (24) spent an aesthetically pleasing time at the crease, but played a ridiculous shot to gift his wicket away. Gautam Gambhir (50) gave Yuvraj Singh valuable company, and then inexplicably succeeded at running himself out, after a failed attempt on the previous delivery as well. With the Indian skipper soon gone and the team needing 74 to win off 73, it looked like the "chokers" tag was back in business.

But finisher Suresh Raina, newly included in the squad, had other ideas. Both he and Yuvraj waited out a few tight overs from the pacers and then opened the floodgates off two consecutive Lee and Tait overs, which went for 14 and 13 runs respectively. There was no stopping them thereafter, and Ponting's last-ditch efforts to prolong his team's World Cup stint by reintroducing spin were not to be. Yuvraj Singh (57 off 65 and 2 wickets) who has made a habit of seeing his side through won his fourth consecutive Man-of-the-match trophy and setup another high-voltage clash against Pakistan in the semi-final in the week to follow.

Brief Scores: India 261 for 5 (Yuvraj 57, Tendulkar 53; D Hussey 1-19) beat Australia 260 for in 49.4 overs (Ponting 104, Haddin 53; Yuvraj 2-44) by 5 wickets with 14 balls remaining.

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We will keep Sachin on 99 tons: Ponting

AHMEDABAD: Apart from aiming tohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif do everything right with a view to pull off a coup against hosts India at the Motera on Thursday, Australian captain Ricky Ponting also has a prayer on his lips that Sachin Tendulkar does not get his 100th hundred against them.

"Sachin has had an amazing couple of years. His last 15 months have been unbelievable. It's absolutely inspirational for everyone, but we only hope the 100th ton doesn't come on Thursday. He'll be doing everything to make sure he gets it, and we'll be doing everything to make sure he stays on 99 for a bit longer," said the Australian captain.

All Ponting is concerned at the moment is Thursday's match and nothing less than a win.

"It doesn't get any bigger, playing India in the quarterfinal in India. It's one of the biggest games I have played as captain. It's going to be enjoyable and exciting. Like us they too will be a bit anxious about the outcome of the game as well," he said.

"Thursday's match will not be about individuals, not about Ponting and Sachin. India are one of the favourite teams, and if we want to win the World Cup we have to win on Thursday."

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Ricky Ponting dares question Sachin Tendulkar

AHMEDABAD: Ricky Ponting decided to fight back on Indian television when he was unfavourably compared to much-loved batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Ponting edged a ball to Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal while batting in Sunday's World Cup Group A match in Colombo and the appeal was turned down, although Pakistan got their man after requesting a video referral of the incident.

A day later in Chennai, Tendulkar was caught behind in the first over of the Group B game against West Indies and immediately walked, even though Australian umpire Steve Davis shook his head to indicate not out.

Tendulkar was praised by Windies captain Darren Sammy as a "a true gentleman" for walking.

When a viewer asked Ponting on a TV show why he didn't walk and Tendulkar did, Ponting went onto the front foot.

"I've never known Sachin to be someone that walks all the time, so I'm not sure why he chose to walk the other day," the Australia captain said.

"If I get a nick behind to the 'keeper, then I stand there until the umpire makes a decision.

"If Sachin had looked up the other day and noticed that the umpire was giving him not out, then I'm not sure he would have walked either."

Ponting's former fierce rival Saurav Ganguly supported Ponting's view that walking can be a bad idea, especially in a big game like Thursday's quarter-final between Australia and India in Ahmedabad.

"Sachin has never done that in the past, let's be honest, and he shouldn't because there have been times when he has been given out and he was not out," the ex-India skipper said.

"At the end of the career, it balances.

"I think it's fair for everyone to wait for the umpire's decision, including Sachin Tendulkar.

"It could be a big game India 100 for three, Tendulkar batting on 55, he's holding the key to India's success.

"I would really not want him to walk unless an umpire has given him out.

"He needs to stick to the umpire's decision. Whether he does that consistently, we'll have to wait and see."

Criticised for his furious glare directed at Steve Smith after the pair clashed as they went for the same catch in a game against Canada, and also for damaging a TV screen in the dressing room after being run out against Zimbabwe, Ponting continues to attract negative headlines.

Scoring 102 runs at 20.40 isn't helping his cause amid speculation his reign as captain could be under threat at board level at Cricket Australia.

"I know that if I make some runs in this quarter-final against India it might keep everyone quiet for a while," Ponting told the "Headlines Today" TV network.

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India vs Australia: We are a better side, says Sourav Ganguly

Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday said Team India have the ability to beat Australia in the World Cup quarterfinals in Ahmedabad on Thursday, maintaining 'M.S. Dhoni's men are a better side'.

Sourav's team had lost to Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting's side in both the league match and the final in WC 2003.

On being asked if India can beat Australia in what is being called a revenge game, Sourav told Headlines Today Executive Editor Rahul Kanwal, "Yes, there is no doubt about it. India have a good chance of beating Australia. India is a better side."

Speaking on India's prime hope against the Aussies, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav said, "I don't mind him failing against the West Indies. Every time he has got out cheaply, he comes out all guns blazing (referring to his two centuries against England and South Africa in this WC) in next match. I hope to see him putting India in a good position against the Aussies."

Tendulkar had failed to score big in both the games in WC 2003, when India won all their matches, except against the Aussies.

India's only WC winning captain Kapil Dev also said, "They have the ability to do it (beat the Aussies)."

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