Cricket Australia’s selectors have named a 13-man Australian squad for the next two One Day matches, with Ricky Ponting dropped after a torrid series.
The matches against Sri Lanka in Hobart on Friday 24 February, and against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday 26 February will see Shane Watson make his long awaited return, while Michael Clarke returns to the captaincy after injury.
Mitchell Starc has also been forced out, with Ryan Harris taking his place, and Peter Forrest retains his place.
Commenting on the squad, National Selector John Inverarity said: “The NSP had a telephone link up this morning to select the ODI Squad for the game[s] against Sri Lanka in Hobart on Friday and against India in Sydney on Sunday.
“Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the squad due to his lack of form in the five matches to date in this series. The team will not seem the same without him, but moving on from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport.
“Ricky’s record speaks for itself. He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories.
“Ricky’s contribution goes far beyond his batting statistics and his brilliant fielding. The example he sets in every respect and his extraordinarily positive influence in the dressing-room is acknowledged by all. He is held in the highest possible regard by his team-mates and there is no higher accolade than this.
“Ricky being prepared to take over the captaincy in Michael Clarke’s recent absence for the sake of the team is yet another example of his selfless attitude and team-first focus.
“Ryan Harris has been re-included in the squad with Mitchell Starc making way for his return. Mitchell will benefit greatly from the Tests and the ODIs he has played. His development as a player of the future is most encouraging.
“Shane Watson also comes back into the squad. He is an all-rounder of proven class and the NSP is keen to have him re-join the squad.
“The NSP made the decision that Matthew Wade is now the preferred ODI wicket-keeper for the Australian ODI team. The intention at this stage is to have both Matthew and Brad Haddin in the West Indies together for the duration of the tour,” he said.
Full Australian squad:
Michael Clarke – Captain (NSW)
Shane Watson – Vice-captain (NSW)
Dan Christian (SA)
Xavier Doherty (TAS)
Peter Forrest (QLD)
Ryan Harris (QLD)
Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS)
David Hussey (VIC)
Michael Hussey (WA)
Brett Lee (NSW)
Clint McKay (VIC)
Matthew Wade (VIC)
David Warner (NSW)
Riccardo
Guest
God bless you Punter. One of the finest batsman to grace the game and definitely the achitect of the finest pull shot I've ever seen. You will be missed despite your naysayers...
Rhys
Guest
As pretty much everyone else has said, it's the right call. It's a pity such a stellar ODI career as Ponting's had to end with a wimper of 5 single figure scores. As others rightly pointed out, finishing on the back of a World Cup century would have been the way to go. Still, not even the best of the best get to go out the way they wish - Bradman comes to mind there. It will be interesting to see what decision Ponting makes re. Test cricket. Maybe the fire is still burning fiercely enough for him to hang on for one last Ashes tour - but will it prove a bridge to far?
Pillock
Roar Rookie
When Keith Miller retired at the top of his game he said that he would rather be asked why he retired rather than why not. It's time for Ponting to go, he's had a great run and a great record.
Andyc
Roar Rookie
Border averaged 38 on that tour, of the batsmen only Mark Taylor 24,25 averaged less.
Lolly
Guest
I'm glad they've dropped him, but he's had a career in ODI that is the stuff of dreams .There is hardly anyone who can leave this form of the game with their head held higher than Punter.
Lolly
Guest
Starc hasn't been that effective in this series but it's been good experience for him. I hope he has time to play in the Ryobi at the WACA now. With Pattinson, Cummins and some of the other bowlers around domestically, there are plenty of young seamers in the mix.
Lolly
Guest
But Harris has said that he might have to retire from tests to concentrate on short formats. He has to think of how long he can play and what he can earn in that time. You can hardly blame him. He can't play test cricket for more than 2 matches in a row and while he's injured he can't earn.
Dubble Bubble
Guest
I'd have to respectfully disagree with you. As soon as the team is better off without a particular player than with - he goes. It doesn't matter what they have done for the team. Not even Bradman . Selection should not be about what have you done for the team but what you can do for the team.
aussie1st
Roar Pro
I thought the selectors would bring out the "rested" term again but great to see they are making the hard decisions and now being clear to the public about what is happening. Sad to see him go but it had to happen. We are now starting to see a side that will be there come 2015, Dussey says he wants to go to there and his career best form means he won't be losing his spot anytime soon.
Behold
Guest
Can't see him playing county cricket, now he has two young children. Can't imagine his wife being happy about it either, she comes off as a fairly domineering person. I actually hopes he does retire from test cricket as well, he would have struggled to play until the next Ashes summer in Australia, and would rather have whoever takes his place playing next summer, ashes in England, ashes at home. Great player who should retire now after a good summer of test cricket.
Matt F
Roar Guru
If he does decidee to continue his Test career then he really should look for a county stint, particularly given there's such a large break in between the WIndies tests and the home series against SA
Matt F
Guest
Something as important as that clearly requires a series of articles Kev ;)
dc
Guest
Wow, the end of Punter''s one day career......he was terrific to watch in his prime......but enough of the old dog i am afraid! Maybe the Windies tour will be his test career swansong....
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Time will tell if Ponting also retires from Test cricket. Word is that he will feel that no ODI cricket means he will lack game time in the international circuit, and may not have enough match fitness for Test cricket. If he feels that way, let's hope he picks up a county contract. I can't help but think there'll be a queue of teams vying for his services if he's keen for an overseas spell.
Brendon
Guest
Ponting will play on. Hes 6 tests behind Steve Waugh as most capped Australian player.
Brendon
Guest
Border was allowed to play on to get the chance of touring South Africa. But you're right. He had no choice in the matter and was told to retire.
Brendon
Guest
Ponting wont go willingly. Well, Steve Waugh didn't go willingly either. He was more or less instructed by the selectors to retire at the end of the 2002-03 India tour. The selectors should have told Ponting to retire after the world cup.
Brendon
Guest
For Australia in ODI's he has the most runs (2nd overall), centuries (2nd overall), matches played and catches. Why he didn't retire after the world cup I dont know. Why didnt the selectors after the world cup tell him to retire and focus on tests. After Tendulkar and Vic Richards hes probably the best ODI batsman of all time.
Behold
Guest
Pretty shocked they dropped Ponting but it needed to happen. Surprised they dropped Starc from the squad, when Inverarity was talking about the next ODI WC in the press conference but they replaced him with Harris who won't play more than two more years, and Lee who will definitely be retiring from international cricket after the t20 WC. Even more so why have they stuck with McKay, the guy shouldn't be playing for Victoria let alone Australia, fruit will only buy you so many wickets. What are the odds on McKay becoming the first Australian player since Lewis to go for a ton?
Red Kev
Guest
Vas was requesting an article on Clarke's latest tattoo... :D