Ponting critical of schedule

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has questioned the length of the Australian cricketing summer after Cricket Australia released their schedule yesterday.

The Australians start a two Test series against Sri Lanka on November 18th, before taking on New Zealand for the three match ODI Chappell-Hadlee series on the 14th of December followed by a four match Test series against India and a one-day tri-series with India and Sri Lanka starting in February.

“It is very hectic and 20 Tests in a year is something that’s quite extraordinary really,” Ponting told the media from the Caribbean.

“I think 15 is probably the most I’ve ever played in a year.

“The more cricket you play, I’m not entirely sure if it becomes as enjoyable for the spectators all the time as well.

“Something will give somewhere along the line. We as a player group have voiced our opinions quite a lot over the last few years about the workload on the players.

“I totally understand how hard it is to try to fit the programming in to keep everybody happy. It’s hard work.

“We’re professional cricketers now. We have to learn how to deal with that.”

“The last couple of years for us have been extremely busy and extremely hectic, so a lot of credit has to go to the players and the staff for managing that as well as they have.

“But it’s not getting any easier. Certainly the older you get it’s not getting any easier either.”

Australia take on New Zealand today in their final Super Eight clash in the lead up to the semi-finals. Jacob Oram has been ruled out of the Black Caps side with a heel injury whilst on the Australian front, Shane Watson is expected to return after suffering a calf strain against Bangladesh nearly three weeks ago.