Ponting quits in manner that lacks usual spark

In many ways, the scene as Ricky Ponting quit as Australian Test captain mirrored his time as skipper. Predictably, there was plenty of interest and attention around the announcement, with 16 cameras forming a ring around the usual horde of scribes and television reporters inside the Members Stand at the SCG.

After all, it is not every day a man relinquishes the most cherished role in Australian sport.

But Ponting has never endeared himself to the Australian public or cricketing fans in the same way that predecessors such as Steve Waugh, Allan Border or Richie Benaud could.

When a Cricket Australia representative called for applause at the conclusion of Ponting’s press conference, it was muted and brief.

Had it been Waugh, it undoubtedly would have been boisterous and warm.

Media gatherings of this ilk usually start with a buzz of excitement before inevitably dragging on and on.

This one began as usual with television types falling over each other to ask the initial questions, but there was still an air of acceptance and almost a ho-hum feel to Ponting’s announcement.

It was also far shorter than others such as Ian Thorpe’s return to swimming earlier this year or Shane Warne’s retirement announcement in 2006.

Ponting was asked to name his favourite moment as captain and eventually went for the 2003 World Cup triumph, his first as skipper, when he stroked a majestic hundred in the victory over India in the final.

But there was none of the usual flowery questions that traditionally surface in these events, such as his toughest opponent or favourite teammate.

Ponting’s sensational batting ability quickly made him a superstar and when he succeeded Waugh as captain, he inherited a team still comfortably at the pinnacle of world cricket.

But since the departures of Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist et al and the team’s decline, Ponting’s prickly side became more prevalent, never more clearly than at this year’s World Cup.

“There’s no doubt over the last few years, things have become harder around the team,” he said.

“To captain the team when things aren’t always going brilliantly or perfectly has been difficult.”

He hands the captaincy to Michael Clarke never quite able to completely win over the Australian public.

But he leaves the post with more Test and one-day runs than any other Australian and a winning percentage behind only Waugh and Don Bradman.

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