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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Dhoni gets support from Aussie captain

Colombo: It seems Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not the only player who has reservations about the use of the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS).

The Indian skipper’s views were echoed by Ricky Ponting, on Friday. “There have been different views on the same in the last few days. The main reason for that being the different interpretations by the umpires on what’s right and what’s not,” the Australian captain said.

Dhoni was unhappy with an LBW decision against Ian Bell that went in England’s favour during their match last Sunday. The middle-order batsman was ruled not out by on-field umpire Billy Bowden as well as the third umpire, despite television replays showing that the ball had pitched in line of the stumps.

The decision proved crucial as Bell, who was on 17 when the incident took place, eventually went on to score 69. The match was tantalisingly poised till it finally ended in a thrilling tie.

Ponting believed using the UDRS without the hot spot was the root cause behind all the trouble.

“ The distance where the ball hits and how far it has to travel before it hits the stumps, those sorts of things are vital… At the start of the tournament, when we found out they (the ICC) are using the UDRS without the hot spot, it was a bit of a shock for us. I think the hot spot should be a part of the system,” Ponting insisted.

The Aussie skipper also denied having been briefed about the technicalities of the UDRS by the ICC.

Incidentally, the BCCI had to step in after ICC general manager David Richardson criticised Dhoni for his comments after the Bangalore incident. Ponting, however, doused the flames by adding: “You always have to understand that it is not going to be perfect. But at the end of the day, we will still be getting more correct decisions that will be good for the game.”


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Ponting apologises for damage to TV at Cricket World Cup 2011

Ricky Ponting has apologized for his unruly behaviour when he was declared runout in the match against Zimbabwe on Monday.

The incident happened on Monday during the 4th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. In the 33rd over of the first innings, Ricky Ponting was given runout. He had gone for a second run, but a throw from Clarke Mpofu reached the stumps before he could reach the crease.

Ricky Ponting, obviously in a fit of rage, threw his gloves at a LCD television set in the dressing room and damaged it. The behaviour from a captain of a cricket team is specially demeaning.

Australia had won that match against Zimbabwe by 91 runs.

It is learnt that the captain of Australian team has since then apologised. A spokesman of the team had come forward with a statement that Ponting had accidentally damaged the television set in the dressing room.

Now it remains to be seen how the International Cricket Council reacts to the incident.

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Ponting smashes LCD in Aus dressing room

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting smashed a LCD television, apparently in a fit of anger, in the team's dressing room here after he was run out against Zimbabwe, sources in the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) said on Tuesday.

The incident took place immediately after Ponting was run out on Monday by a direct hit from deep wicket by Zimbabwe's Chris Meofu in the Group A clash between the two teams. The captain was run out on 28.

GCA said they have informed Australian cricketing authorities about the incident. However, when contacted Australian media manager Lachy Patterson said he was not aware of any such incident.

GCA officials said that they would be meeting today to decide on further action in this connection.

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Ricky Ponting confident Australia can make it 'difficult for anyone'

AHMEDABAD Feb 21 (Reuters) - Australia will look to take a leaf out of New Zealand's book and thump opponents Zimbabwe to make a statement in their World Cup opener later on Monday.

On Sunday, New Zealand bundled out Kenya for 69 and then returned to reach the target in eight overs and with 10 wickets in hand in a lop-sided Group A match.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said they would love to follow their neighbours' examples.

"I would like to go out and have a very similar result like New Zealand had. That's what we would like to do," Ponting told reporters ahead of their practice on Sunday.

"We will not take anybody lightly. If we can start the tournament by making a big statement in the event, it will be good for the team."

The Australian pace attack of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait should prove to be quite a handful for unfancied Zimbabwe, who will look to tie their opponents in a spinners' tangle.

But Ponting was not worried.

"Lots of teams have tried spin against us and tried different things against us in this part of the world and we have always managed to find a way to play good cricket here and win games," the Australia captain said.

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Were Australia's selectors right to overlook Michael Hussey yet take Ricky Ponting to the World Cup?

You are not alone if you think Ricky Ponting's admission that he has to play through the pain barrier during the ICC Cricket World Cup smells of double standards.

While selectors chose not to gamble on Michael Hussey's injured hamstring for the six-week tournament, it seems Ponting's broken digit was another matter.

Never mind that the captain has not played since the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne in December, or that the healing process was reportedly slowed down by an infection, or that he still experiences pain when batting, or that he won't be fielding in the slips. He's going and Hussey isn't.

Foxsports.com.au users were split earlier in the week when asked to discuss whether Hussey should have been included, and, in truth, the selectors, despite Hussey's vehement protestations, probably made the right call.


Maybe Ponting took notice of Hussey's candid press conference on Tuesday when he effectively said on Wednesday that he was still struggling and wouldn’t be 100 per cent fit during the tournament. Great to have you back, Ricky, but doesn't it fly directly in the face of the idea the Aussies won’t tolerate any passengers in their squad.

There's no denying Ponting's resilience, and determination, but, in the face of fierce criticism this summer, he felt he needed to pervey a sense of bravado to prove his point.

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Ricky Ponting Takes A Slump In Ranking

Ricky Ponting has fallen out of the world's top 20 batsmen for the first time since 2001 following his double failure in Adelaide as Australia were crushed by an innings-and-71 runs in the second Ashes Test.

The man who removed him for a first-innings golden duck, James Anderson, has risen to a career-best No.3 in the bowling rankings while Graeme Swann has closed the gap on Dale Steyn at No.1.

Ponting didn't survive the opening over in Adelaide, when he was caught at slip first ball, and could only manage 9 in the second innings before he was removed by Swann.

It meant he had only 70 runs in four innings for the series, 51 of those in the second innings in Brisbane as the match was drawn.

Anderson overtook Zaheer Khan to secure third spot following his match figures of 6 for 143.

He began the match in stunning style by removing Ponting and Michael Clarke as Australia slumped to 3 for 2 and then, on the final morning, found himself on a hat-trick after claiming Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris.

Swann, meanwhile, bounced back from a disappointing performance in Brisbane by playing a key role in England's innings-and-71-run victory.

He took two important wickets in the first innings, but came into his own second time around as he bagged five on a wearing pitch.

He is now just 14 points behind Steyn at the top of the table and, if he performs well in Perth and Melbourne, has a chance to finish the year as the leading bowler in the world.

However, Steyn will be looking to consolidate his position when he leads South Africa's attack against India in the Test series that starts on December 16 After conceding 620 runs it's not surprising that Australia's bowlers slipped, with Doug Bollinger sliding four places to No.13 and Peter Siddle, who hasn't claimed a wicket since his Brisbane hat-trick, slipping three to No.17.

England also made significant gains on the batting front, with Jonathan Trott continuing his rise after securing a career-best position last week and moving further up to sixth place, while Alastair Cook's mighty form has seen him climb to No.13 and he now has the most points of his career.

Kevin Pietersen is also marching back up the ladder after ending his lean run with a career-best 227.

The one bright spot for Australia has been Mike Hussey's form and he gained ten places following his match double of 93 and 52 in Adelaide.

Michael Clarke's second-innings 80 has prevented him from slipping down the list.

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