Ricky Ponting steps down as Captain (Updated)

[howardj]

Tone belongs in such esteemed company.

Anyway, might start a Pup as Skipper thread shortly...

 

[howardj]

An issue that's not been discussed is the vice captain/

Watto as VC?

What a ***y couple that would maketh.

 

[outbreak]

Doesn't Haddin normally play VC for Clarke?

 

[howardj]

When they wheel Clarke out this afternoon, that little CA weasel who wears a bow tie, Peter Young I think his name is, will tell everyone how CA's market research indicates that Pup is very popular.

It should never be a popularity contest, but not being objectionable to the public should be part of the whole package of considerations in my view.

I just worry that with people already turning off a struggling team, how an unpopular skipper will alienate the public from the game in general.

People here follow cricket through the prism of Team Australia.

I personally think Pup is well-mannered and respectful - a decent guy. But he's just someone who I think the public don't take to.

 

[Burgey]

If it was a popularity contest, Clarke wouldn't be considered. He's the right age, he's experienced and his metrosexual image belies a stronger character than people give him credit for.

He deserves a shot at it, imo.

We don't know whether CA will announce a successor on the spot, either.

 

[howardj]

Bangladesh squad named tomorrow, perhaps that's when they'll roll Pup out.

It would steal Ponting's thunder if they announced it today, I guess.

 

[Spark]

They have to announce it within a day.

Salute Punter. Wise decision.

 

[benchmark00]

Reckon there's a chance that he'll announce that he will retire from ODI's and remain captain in test cricket.

 

[Spark]

Having said for all of the past week that he really wants to go to Bangladesh?

 

[Top_Cat]

Yeah, that. I didn't want to pre-empt but I honestly think Ponting quitting the Test captaincy would be surprising.

 

[Spark]

I'd be surprised too actually but he's been fairly unequivocal in his desire to continue playing ODIs. I dunno. Much less so on the captaincy.

"If that is what they and I believe is the best way forward for Australian cricket, that's the way it has always been," Ponting said, "Whatever I have done in the role to this date has always been with Cricket Australia backing - it is not as though I pick myself as captain. I am picked as captain every tour we have been on for the past six or seven years and thoroughly enjoyed that.
"But if there is someone out there better and more suited to the role than me right now then I have no problems at all about that."
Glancing towards Bangladesh, Ponting was adamant in his enthusiasm for the sort of tour he might have been rested from in earlier years. "I will go to Bangladesh if selected, the team hasn't been picked yet, and I will look forward to that tour then have a decent break after that to prepare for Sri Lanka and South Africa and the Australian summer.

 

[robelinda]

What odds on him retiring from everything?? I think he'll resign the captaincy from both forms, definitely play on in tests, possible in one dayers, but he very well might retire from totally from odi's.

 

[Spark]

No, I definitely don't see him retiring from everything. That would be a massive shock.

 

[robelinda]

Ponting is such a bloody champion, I'll be so happy if he keeps batting, it will show how much he loves batting regardless whether he's captain or not.

 

[howardj]

Follow it live, gentlemen and Craigos.

 

[Spark]

Standing down from captain in all forms.

Thread title change, please.

And an endorsement for Clarke.

 

[outbreak]

So does anyone else think we'll see Ponting drop down the order now aswell?

 

[howardj]

Chappell approached Ponting to go down the order before the Ashes, but Rick talked them out of it.

Having stood down as captain though, I don't think he'll have a choice as to where he bats.

And realistically, it doesn't make sense for him to continue at three - he's averaged below 40 in the past two years, and plus he's rising 37 years old.

 

[TT Boy]

Good to see him continuing playing, he is a champion and I hope he can get a second wind ala Tendulkar. Be great if Sachin, Punter and Kallis are still dominating well into their late 30s.

 

[Fusion]

Well, he's never going to win many likability contests but I admired the bloke as a Captain. He has an amazing record as a Captain. I realize that may have something to do with the team he had at his disposal, but just ask Pakistan if talent enough will make you win consistently. He had incredible pressure on his shoulders. It wasn't long ago that he would get heavy criticism if the team lost a single match, much less a series! That's amazingly high standards that he had to live upto, and he did more often than not. I'm not an Australian, but I imagine most Aussies would remember his time at the helm fondly.