Ponting punted from ODIs but can he still rise to the Test?
Columnist By David Lord, 21 Feb 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Australian Cricket, Cricket, John Inverarity, Ricky Ponting
Australian batsman Ricky Ponting reacts after being dismissed for 60 runs on the third day of the first test between Australian and India at the MCG in Melbourne, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
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A contrite John Inverarity played a straight bat yesterday when he named the Australian squad for the next ODIs against India and Sri Lanka.
None of the still-to-be-explained subterfuge over Brad Haddin, telling the keeper he was dropped a month ago, but telling the fans Haddin was being “rested”.
“It’s obviously a very significant announcement because the national selection panel has decided to drop Ricky Ponting from the team. The door is never closed on anybody, but there’s a strong indication.
“He was disappointed and understandably so, but took it on the chin,” chirped Invararity, the chairman of selectors, talking to the media like the headmaster he once was to a school assembly.
Ponting and paceman Mitchell Starc have been dropped for all-rounder Shane Watson, making a welcome return to international cricket after being sidelined for the last three months by a calf injury, and fast bowler Ryan Harris, back on duty after a genuine rotary rest for one game he didn’t want to take.
The Ponting sacking followed the first time in 365 visits to the crease he had posted five successive single-figure scores – 2, 1, 6, 2, 7 – just 18 runs at an average of 3.60, facing a very uncomfortable 66 deliveries.
Very un-Ponting-like.
Twice the former skipper has managed four successive single-figure scores – 4, 6, 1, 1 in 2006, and 1, 1, 1, 5 in 2008.
And in 2000, Ponting had three successive ducks, facing a sum total of 10 deliveries.
At 37 and 63 days, it’s impossible to see Ponting returning to the ODI scene. There’s some far younger talent on the horizon. They won’t be as good as Ponting at his best. Very few have been.
But talent nonetheless.
Maybe this sacking will make Ponting take stock of his Test future. But his five-day stats are vastly different to his ODIs.
Ponting’s last five digs – 60, 134, 7, 221, 60* – amassing 482 runs at an average of 120.50, has him on the plane to the West Indies in April. Unless he pulls the coat in the interim, but I very much doubt it.
Yesterday was an overdue come-clean appearance for Inverarity.
He also confirmed cricket’s worst-kept secret that Matthew Wade is officially Australia’s number one ODI keeper ahead of Haddin.
“But it is the intention of the national selection panel both will tour the West Indies (in April),” was another Inverarity chirp.
Haddin did his Test chances in the Windies more harm at the WACA in the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia by bagging a pair. Like Ponting, runs for Haddin recently have been as scarce as hen’s teeth.
Mention must be made of NSW’s disgraceful performance in that game.
Boasting eight internationals, seven of them Test men – Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, and Trent Copeland, plus a Twenty20 international in skipper Steve O’Keefe – NSW was humiliated by an innings and 323 runs inside three days.
The scoreboard read NSW 91 and 146, at one stage 8-90, Western Australia 3 (dec) for 560, with opener Liam Davis unbeaten on 303, his first not out in 50 first class innings, Adam Voges 178, and Michael Beer 7-46 in the second innings.
Which begs the question: why are so many batsmen throughout Australian having brain explosions so often?
Take the Commonwealth Bank series. In five games, the Australians have scored:
* Single figures – 14.
* Under 20 – 10.
* In the 20s – 4.
* 30s – 7.
* 40s – 3.
* 50s – 4.
* 60s – 3.
And just one in the 70s: David Hussey’s top score of 79.
All up 21 Australian batsmen have had a start, but not one centurion. Far too many brain explosions.
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- Australian Cricket, Cricket, John Inverarity, Ricky Ponting
February 21st 2012 @ 5:11am
AndyMack said | February 21st 2012 @ 5:11am | Report comment
David,
NSW’s massive loss was at the hands of….wait for it….ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN TEAM!!!!!
Not sure what that has to do with the Aussie situation, or Punters position within it. I will also say Aust are still in the hunt to win the CB series, despite your doom-mongering.
PS: Speaking of brain explosions, did you have one before writing your last piece on “too many run-outs cause you to lose cricket games”. Ground breaking.
February 21st 2012 @ 7:20am
David Lord said | February 21st 2012 @ 7:20am | Report comment
No doom-mongering nor brain explosions on my part AndyMack – just fact. Run outs are purely lack of concentration, so too being dismissed so many times in the 20s, 30s, and 40s when the batsmen should be set.
February 21st 2012 @ 6:36am
Brett McKay said | February 21st 2012 @ 6:36am | Report comment
David, all will be revealed at the SCG at 11am today – Ponting has called a press conference, where I’d imagine he’ll be announcing his retirement from at least one of his remaining forms of International cricket…
February 21st 2012 @ 9:16am
Rickety Knees said | February 21st 2012 @ 9:16am | Report comment
G’day mate – Punter is one of the great batsman of both Tests and ODI’s and an excellent one day skipper. He proved himself to be a champion (in many ways) with his performances against India. Like all champions he should go out on top …. it is time for him to shake hands with father time and gracefully retire ……
February 21st 2012 @ 8:30am
Margaret R. said | February 21st 2012 @ 8:30am | Report comment
I will be sorry to see Rickie Ponting go, and to be thrown out like a used pckage does little to improve the image of Australian cricket.
Why don’t the ‘smart alex’ just be quiet, and give Rickie the opportunity to leave on his terms and at his timing.
He has played very good cricket for Australia, and also behaved like a gentleman, while doing so.
Rickie deserves much more respect, and consideration.
February 21st 2012 @ 8:59am
The Bush said | February 21st 2012 @ 8:59am | Report comment
“Why don’t the ‘smart alex’ just be quiet”
Huh? Smart alec(s) perhaps?
“give Rickie the opportunity to leave on his terms and at his timing.”
If it was left up to Ricky his own terms would be about five (5) years from now following back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back series failures. Unfortunately, and I love the bloke, he is not the type to step away gracefully at the right time (which should have been right after the 2011 World Cup).
“Rickie deserves much more respect, and consideration.”
There was nothing disrespectful about Inverarity’s conference – it was full of nothing but praise for one of (if not the) greatest ODI player Australia has ever had.
February 21st 2012 @ 1:11pm
Margaret R. said | February 21st 2012 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
Well Hello ,The Bush,….. maybe I should have used ‘Smarty Pants’,.
Do you think that would suit ?
The word that I find difficult to accept is SACKING….
That does not suit for Rickie Ponting at all.
You are stretching it a bit with your FIVE year prediction.
I agree to disagree …. Cheerio!
February 21st 2012 @ 1:33pm
Red Kev said | February 21st 2012 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Ricky Ponting is leaving “on his terms and at his timing”.
Ponting is a professional, so are the selectors. Ponting sees that it is his job to play cricket and the selectors’ job to pick the team. Like any of us with a job he will be “unavailable” from time to time but otherwise he does his job. If he is no longer the best candidate for his job he expects to be told so. Otherwise he will continue to play until (a) he personally feels he cannot perform (to the required standard) anymore; or (b) his personal life is such that he can no longer discharge his duties as a member of the Australian cricket team.
Keep in mind that John Inverarity is the first full-time professional chairman of selectors; it was not the main job of Hilditch or Hohns.
February 21st 2012 @ 9:35am
WoobliesFan said | February 21st 2012 @ 9:35am | Report comment
Hi Mrs Ponting.
February 21st 2012 @ 9:48am
Red Kev said | February 21st 2012 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Ponting had two chances to retire gracefully while on top:
After the World Cup loss to India when he had scored a lovely century.
After the Adelaide test after making a double-hundred and giving all the knockers (like me) the proverbial bird.
He chose to keep going and so he’s at the mercy of ruthless selection decisions.
Then there is this point of view from Andrew Wu in the SMH
“Ponting is Australia’s first trained-from-birth cricketer and captain. More than any before him, cricket is not just his life, but a lucrative livelihood. He was never going to relinquish it for the sake of a sentimentally pleasing curtain call.”
I tend to agree.
February 21st 2012 @ 9:56am
BarnabusXI said | February 21st 2012 @ 9:56am | Report comment
I thought you’d be much happier Red Kev
February 21st 2012 @ 10:11am
Red Kev said | February 21st 2012 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Man you all think I’m a monster or something!
Just because I think it is the right decision for him to be dropped / retire doesn’t mean I hate the guy. I am an Australian cricket fan, I enjoyed watching him stride to the wicket and carve up bowling attacks as much as the next guy. I even enjoyed watching him bat this summer against India, I wasn’t hoping for him to fail (despite my sneaky $5 bet on him to post a pair in the Boxing Day test).
February 21st 2012 @ 11:26am
WoobliesFan said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:26am | Report comment
Kev,
Haters gonna hate. No need to justify your position.
Many support the same line of thinking when it comes to Ponting – that is, grumble guts should have been flat-out dropped from the team several months ago, if not years (he’s very lucky that potential replacements were lacking at the time)……his sacking was long overdue.
The Australian team will be that much stronger without him, or as Ian Chappel said in not so many words –> we’ve lose with you and we can sure as hell lose without you.
Personally, I ‘m glad the selectors got that monkey off their backs and I’m glad to see the back of him…..notwithstanding his woeful form, his demeanour and attitude was a complete turn-off for however long I can remember.
February 21st 2012 @ 10:11am
jameswm said | February 21st 2012 @ 10:11am | Report comment
He can still go and play IPL and make a packet, and probably still do very well. Look at Haydos and Gilly.
February 21st 2012 @ 10:38am
Col said | February 21st 2012 @ 10:38am | Report comment
They dont call him “Punter” for nothing either….
February 21st 2012 @ 10:41am
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 10:41am | Report comment
Yeah, Punter has behaved so gracefully.
February 21st 2012 @ 8:31am
sheek said | February 21st 2012 @ 8:31am | Report comment
Good morning David,
Steve Waugh continued for several seasons after losing the one-day captaincy & place in the one-day team. So historically Ponting can continue as a test batsman..
Despite scoring 200 in his last test, Ponting looks tired. The greats of the past used to argue you should retire while on top of your game, & not wait until the obvious signs of deterioration manifest themselves.
One of the obvious signs of a waning batsman, is widely inconsistent scores. Usually a century will precede or follow a string of low scores. I recall Greg Chappell, in his last test season of 1983/84, mixed two huge centuries with 3 scores under double figures, & another under 20. Even Chappell looked tired back then.
The Waugh twins experienced similar variances in scoring as their powers obviously waned. Now Ponting is exhibiting those same signs of wildly fluctuating scores & inconsistency.
These days, because of professionalism, players hang on far longer than they should (remember George Gregan anyone?). Ponting is now 38, a good time to retire. He’s had a great career, statistically our 3rd best-ever batsman behind Sir Donald Bradman & Greg Chappell.
Time for him to bow out while he’s on a high. Perhaps he’s waiting to see what Channel 9 have to offer …..
February 21st 2012 @ 9:02am
The Bush said | February 21st 2012 @ 9:02am | Report comment
sheek,
Sorry to be pedantic, but wouldn’t it be right to say that Ricky is actually statistically our 2nd best batsmen ever, irrespectivce of whether you consider Chappell to have been a better batsman for other, non-statistical reasons?
February 21st 2012 @ 11:58am
sheek said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:58am | Report comment
Thanks Bush,
At least you responded. I’m going to take the meek response – “You know what I mean”…..
February 21st 2012 @ 12:03pm
The Bush said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
To reply to your comment in general sheek, I totally agree that as you age you tend to see a lot more failures amongst their “successes”.
I personally ‘em a big fan of going out “on top” and find it sad that we’ll forever remember Ponting as the guy who hung around too long, instead of as one of the truely great batsmen. Perhaps history will be kinder towards his attitude?
February 21st 2012 @ 10:36am
Boris said | February 21st 2012 @ 10:36am | Report comment
“The greats of the past used to argue you should retire while on top of your game, & not wait until the obvious signs of deterioration manifest themselves.”
Why is there always this fanciful notion about retiring while at the top of your game?? Play on for as long as you can while you still enjoy it and the selectors give you a game I say – you’re a long time retired…
February 21st 2012 @ 10:57am
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 10:57am | Report comment
This is true. And it’s why there are selectors.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:06am
rl said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:06am | Report comment
I agree Boris – while on the one hand people might say “always go out leaving the crowd asking for more”, I think Punter’s entrenched mentality is more like “raging against the dying of the light”.
Does Ricky really still enjoy it? I don’t reckon I’ve seen any transparent joy in Punter’s game for 10 years. Maybe I’m a Pollyanna, but that’s one of the reasons the general public hasn’t ever really embraced him – if he’s enjoying it, he’s made a career of hiding it, and probably done the game a great disservice in doing so.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:18am
Boris said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:18am | Report comment
I guess it depends how you define ‘enjoying the game’ rl. Do you only consider the players to be enjoying the game when they’re having a laugh and a joke on the field like we have seen Michael Clarke so often this summer? Just because Punter is serious on the field doesn’t mean he’s not enjoying it. I didn’t see Deano smiling when he asked Curtly Ambrose to remove his wrist band all those years ago but I reckon he was enjoying giving Curtly a rev up (even if he was also crapping himself…).
February 21st 2012 @ 12:47pm
rl said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
No, I don’t expect to see laughing and carrying on – but at the same time I don’t see the type of enjoyment that makes my son want to play the game.
But you do have a point – some people really get a kick out of the combative environment (Ponting, Steve Waugh, Border etc).
I’m not sure Deano was enjoying it at the time, but that certainly would have been a rush waiting for the next delivery!
February 21st 2012 @ 11:26am
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:26am | Report comment
But then again Ponting’s always looked grumpy and abrasive, so not sure that’s a sign he’s not enjoying the game.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:35am
Rhys said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:35am | Report comment
Tired and stressed? Maybe he hasn’t been taking his Swiss.
February 21st 2012 @ 2:42pm
Brendon said | February 21st 2012 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Retiring on the top of your game is yet another cliche from the amateur era of Australian sport. Just like in the late 70′s when Australian sport was dragged kicking and screaming like a petulant little child into the professional era – people still cling to outdated and old-fashioned ideas for the sake of holding onto something.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:03am
Bearfax said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Hard for me to reconcile the fact that my original heroes were Norm O’Neill and Dougie Walters. I can remember the English attack being devastated by Lillee and Thompson back in ’75. So many great Oz teams have come and gone and I recall Ponting as a talented young kid only yesterday starting out in test cricket with such undoubted potential. Its sad to see them move on, but it happens and I guess Ponting is just about to become one of the great players of yesteryear. Dont worry though Punter. We’ll always remember the good times you gave us and your rightful place as one of Australia’s best is secure.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:13am
Red Kev said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:13am | Report comment
He’s staying on for tests – no surprise there.
I would not expect him to retire fully before the end of the 10 back-to-back Ashes tests (unless he has a personal crisis that necessitiates it). However I do expect him to be dropped before then, I don’t think he’ll have performances like this series against India against WI, SA, SL and England.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:22am
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Punter says he doesn’t want to let his teammates or the country down, yet when he has – during the last Ashes or against NZ at Hobart for instance – he brushes aside suggestions that his powers have waned.
He’s pretty pleased with himself that’s for sure. But upcoming opponents won’t be fretting too much.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:25am
Chris said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:25am | Report comment
He claims that he “didn’t see this coming”. Which shows that despite his form slump he thought he was protected from being dropped. Even more reason to drop him in my book. It’s called accountability Ricky. You don’t perform, you get dropped.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:28am
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:28am | Report comment
“The players are always their only selector.” Yeah, right…
February 21st 2012 @ 11:17am
rl said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:17am | Report comment
David, your last paras re NSW and “brain explosions” in general bear further consideration. In the case of NSW’s recent performance, let’s just hope it’s an anomaly (with that sort of talent, you’d like to hope so!).
But I share your concern generally about the pretty fragile state of Australia’s test lineup – save for a couple of standout performances, there’s been some shocking collapses of late. Forget top-order or middle order – this team has redefined the “whole-or-order” collapse. Let’s hope we see some improvement in the Windies – surely Mickey will be preaching “partnerships”. My excitement about our potential bowling attack for the next Ashes is offset by my worries about our batting lineup. How old will Punter and Mike Hussey be by then?
February 21st 2012 @ 11:32am
DC of nz said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:32am | Report comment
I love how Australian cricket…pugnacious to the extreme .. Has swept the team score of 47 under the carpet …keeping Ricky in the test team has deprived the selectors of grooming another long servant to Australian cricket … A Brad Hodge, Klinger style of player ..
February 21st 2012 @ 11:39am
Vas Venkatramani said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:39am | Report comment
We can’t speak on Klinger, for he has never been around the Australian group. However, it’s fair to say Hodge never fit in with either the hierarchy nor the players.
While it’s a lovely notion to think the best XI get picked, the personality of the personnel involved must be somewhat similarly aligned. Given Hodge’s outburst a little while back against administrators and old teammates, I can’t be surprised that he never got the international career his form warranted.
February 21st 2012 @ 12:01pm
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
Yes, but if you’re entrenched with the team then outbursts are apparently tolerated.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:41am
Red Kev said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:41am | Report comment
I don’t know why you’re surprised, it is much more comforting to focus on 6 innings at 108.8 against India than on 4 innings at 17.5 against South Africa or 8 innings at 16.1 against England (or even 3 innings at 33 against NZ). The Indian series is more recent and therefore more relevant (yes that is intended as a sarcastic statement), Ricky Ponting can in his own words “still dominate”.
February 21st 2012 @ 12:02pm
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
*He* stills wins matches for Australia apparently.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:33am
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Why on earth does $utherland need to appear at the press conference to “reflect on Ricky’s one-day career”?
February 21st 2012 @ 11:37am
Rhys said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:37am | Report comment
He probably has some cricket memorabilia to flog.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:45am
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Yeah, maybe. I’d have thought he’d be hard at work on arrangements for his next 20/20 festival.
February 21st 2012 @ 11:58am
Matt F said | February 21st 2012 @ 11:58am | Report comment
You obviously missed Tony Greig in the background waving around a limited (to 1,000,000 copies) edition print
February 21st 2012 @ 12:11pm
Rhys said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Matt, I caught that one, the ‘Punter Gets Punted’ print. Apparently the first 500 buyers receive a bonus ‘Haddin’s Horrible Summer’ set of beer coasters, featuring the plucky little keepers least memorable moments.
February 21st 2012 @ 12:16pm
Matt F said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:16pm | Report comment
They were also supposed to come with beer mugs but “somebody” dropped them…..
February 21st 2012 @ 3:01pm
Disco said | February 21st 2012 @ 3:01pm | Report comment
Ouch.