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.
anupam
Guest
lion is wounded. but i believe that ponting will comeback & rule the cricket again. for ODI c.white or a.voges will be good option. fof T20 c.white. i think australia deserves to be World champ'11. i think in recent past years aussie team shuffling team players alot. they need a fix team. but aussie will back and destroy the new world cup champ of 2011.
Sam
Guest
We put too much pressure on our only worthy captain at this time. Time to fast track Timmy Paine into the test team.
jameswm
Guest
Yes it would be too much to have on his plate. He's not an obvious choice for captin or vice so let him worry about his play.
damos_x
Guest
The king is dead, long live the king ! Congratulations Australia & Cricket Australia in particular, we've harangued our only real world class player into what may be an early retirement & for what ? to install a man the CA geniuses see as being more able to connect with the younger generation of fans ! Forgive me my cynicism but I would have been happier with the situation if they said they wanted Clarke because he had bonked Lara Bingle !
Trev
Guest
Problem I have with Watson is he opens the batting and then bowls 15 odd overs in a day of Test cricket. Would making him vice-captain be a little too much on his plate?