Finally bowing to the mounting pressure, Ricky Ponting has just announced he is stepping down as captain in both Test and one-day cricket formats.
He has indicated that he is willing to play-on in both formats. Michael Clarke, as vice-captain in both teams, is expected to take over as captain, and despite some reservations about Clarke, the selectors have little other alternative.
In a side where the only logical alternatives aren’t much younger than Ponting, Clarke really has to be given his turn.
However, he would need to improve on his recent Test performances, otherwise it could be a short-lived reign.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the announcement to come from selectors will be who is made vice-captain. Given the one-day team to Bangladesh will be announced on Wednesday, the selectors have little time to make a decision.
The obvious candidate is the Twenty20 captain, Cameron White, although his recent form, especially during the World Cup, would have question marks against it.
Mike Hussey is a possibility, although a short term option at best, and you might as well make it Ponting as Hussey.
Perhaps Shane Watson may be given the honour of vice-captain – at least he is almost certain to be in the team for some time to come as the form player in recent times.
If it was to be Watson, he could be appointed immediately for both teams. If the selectors went for White, they would need to come up with someone else for the Test team, but they would at least have some time up their sleeve.
Simon Katich and Hussey would be short-term possibilities for the Test team, and Brad Haddin as another possibility is also probably not a long term prospect.
Given the variable form and injury rotations of the bowlers, they can all be ruled out, leaving the selectors with few options.
Clarke as captain and Watson as vice-captain for both teams may well be the best option, even if it’s something short of a dream team.
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