In 1981, at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas, boxing great Mohammad Ali entered the ring for the last time.
His opponent was Trevor Berbick, a Jamaican who few thought belonged in the same ring as the champion.
In the end, Berbick won easily, by unanimous decision. Ali was but a shadow of his former self.
Yes, he got in a few punches, and might even have won the fifth and sixth rounds; he danced a little too, to remind fans of the performer he once was. But his powers had waned. Ali was no longer Ali.
I was reminded of Ali’s decline recently as I watched Ricky Ponting play in the Caribbean. Australia’s greatest batsman since Bradman had nothing like the command at the crease that was once his hallmark. Where he was once calm, positive and assured, he was now hurried and uncertain.
Not all the time: during his 41 in Trinidad he looked more fluent than at any other time in the series. He punished anything on his legs and even unsheathed a pull-shot or two, as if to remind the fans that he still had it. But, for the most part, it was clear to all who have watched him throughout the years: Ponting was no longer Ponting.
In the first innings of the Trinidad Test, Kemar Roach, continuing his battle with Ponting from the last West Indies tour of Australia, got him with a peach of a delivery. Ponting was squared up by a ball that angled in and landed on off stump, then straightened and bounced – one that would probably have defeated him in his prime as well.
What epitomised his troubles to me, however, was a delivery he faced a few minutes earlier. Roach had bowled a short ball that he top-edged and skied trying to pull. It wasn’t a particularly quick delivery but the renowned punisher of everything short seemed harried.
In his prime, he would have been on his back foot almost as soon as the ball was released, waited, and then decided which boundary board he would disturb, or where in the stands the ball would have to be retrieved.
Die-hard fans of Ponting would no doubt point out that not long ago he scored two hundreds, including a mammoth 221, and averaged 108 in a series against India. Yet they would have to agree that India’s bowling attack was one of the most inept to visit Australia in years.
Michael Clarke team’s next Test engagements will be against South Africa in November, and one does not expect their highly lethal bowling unit to mimic the impotence of the Indians. Australia’s selectors have a decision to make.
Well, not just one, because their openers need to be looked at as well. But in my view Ponting needs to remove himself from the side before November or the selectors should respectfully ask him to go.
Respectfully, because he has been a feared and faithful warrior in Australia’s cause, and so cannot be cast away lightly. The run-of-the-mill player is easier to handle in such circumstances. Aware that their abilities were limited to begin with, they, and their fans, find separation less traumatic.
The dominant player, on the other hand, sometimes fails to come to terms with their diminishing powers, and their fans often cling to the folklore long after the final chapter should have been closed.
If the question then becomes who is ready to replace him, then I would answer that it doesn’t matter. Heroes should not be allowed to regress to the point where they become unrecognisable.
Not that his legacy is in jeopardy – Mohammad Ali is still the greatest. But just as it saddened boxing devotees to see one of the sport’s icons dominated by a lumbering journeyman, Ponting should ensure that he not be made to look anything other than the great player that he undoubtedly is.
Broesy
Guest
I know Bradman's legacy. It will forever live on. But by Ricky's 52nd Test, he'd scored basically the same amount of runs. This rivals Bradman, but you're right, it does not exceed him. And if you or anyone else dares to argue Ricky Ponting's legacy then you need to crawl back under that rock you've been under
Don Willis
Guest
are u serious? -against SA in the 2nd test he came in at 2/15ish and made a 64 -against NZ at brisbane he came in at 2/nothing made a 74. - both ininngs vs IND at the MCG he came in with the score under 50 and made two 60;s -against india at the SCG he came in on a HATRICK with the score at 2/24 and made 134 - against india at adelaide he came in at 2/20 and made 220 what are you on about?
Don Willis
Guest
He also made 74* in a ODI domestic final...and made 2 first class centuries as well! haters gonna hate.
Red Kev
Guest
A bit off topic but there is discussion over possible replacements for Ponting so here it is: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/usman-contemplates-bulls-switch/story-fn67wv6z-1226343183256 Khawaja might join the QLD Bulls and try to follow Peter Forrest's path to the Australian team. Would be a good move - Queensland's top order is very suspect (especially at opener which is where I'd like to see Khawaja) and Boof is probably the best state coach going around at the moment. The Gabba is traditionally a good pitch too.
Disco
Roar Guru
Not to worry about the future state of the team, eh? Let's just sit back and watch a grumpy old-time favourite struggle against high-quality seamers. Cracking viewing! And meanwhile, we'll wait for younger options to hit the age of 30 before we blood them properly (or if you're a Victorian middle order player, ignore them at the Test selection table).
Disco
Roar Guru
I meant that Ponting's concerned with how he will occupy himself rather than having money worries. The point is not which middle order player should come in (and there are four or five names that could bandied about) - it's the fact that Ponting is past it and being picked on sentiment and 2001-2006 form. Someone like Khawaja (who averaged more than Ponting did during the brief spell he was afforded in the Test team) has the potential to be an excellent Test batsman, but for that to happen he needs to be shown some confidence... and soon. Or is repaying Ponting for his years of service more important than trying to find a successful, less collapse-prone middle order ahead of tough challenges? Ponting has struggled against top-class bowling increasingly over 5 years and I don't think he will do any better against South Africa than a new, younger player would, but we'll have to wait and see.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Attacks don't fear him anymore. If he survives the South Africans then good luck to him. Huss also has to get up the order and stop hogging No.6. Personally I think he should do the honourable thing and retire as well. I disagree that there are no replacements. During the 70s schism the often maligned establishment boys fought gamely and several held or regained places post WSC. In the 80s and early 90s all sorts of players were used, with ordinary averages or short careers. Meanwhile Mickey Arthur has backed him for the Ashes, so I guess we'll see him their.
jameswm
Guest
I wouldn't say Khawaja failed. I'd say he was middling. He looked up to it, but didn't force the selectors to keep him. You've got a blindfold on though if you can't see how Ponting struggles against the swinging ball - and that his powers aren't what they used to be.
jameswm
Guest
Surely that's tongue in cheek? Ever heard of a guy called Bradman?
Garfield Robinson
Guest
Thanks Spiro. I don't see him making runs next ashes either. In fact I don't think he should go to England. I believe he will find it very difficult against SA in November too. SA has an outstanding pace attack. You say there is nobody to come at 4 but as someone suggested Clarke could move up. I saw Khawaja and he looked a good player to me though he might have lost form. I also hear talk of Ferguson and Forrest. Surely one of them can be blooded at 6 if you move Hussey up to 5.
Morning Son
Guest
What he/she said.
Morning Son
Guest
Alright, so who do we replace Ponting with? It's not like we have anyone who could do a better job? Marsh was tried and failed, so was Usman Kwajawa. At least when Ponting got dropped from the ODI side, he went back and scored some runs at FC level. Yes, Ponting probably wants to tour to try and win the Ashes back, but so what? No, I don't think Ponting is worried about his post-career job prospects. I hardly think that he is going to be short of a dollar. So what if his motivated by the Ashes losses? Is that actually a big deal? Im sure it motivates the other guys as well. You haven't even named a replacement player that we can critique?
Broesy
Guest
Ricky Ponting is the greatest batsman Australia (if not the world) has ever produced and ever will. Lay off him. He just came off a terrific summer and has one failure after that and you're ripping into him again: "He's too old. He should retire. Retire before they make you." Just shut up and let him get on with his game. And for that matter, who in that series actually did well? NOBODY! Get off his back and let him retire on HIS terms. Not yours, not ANYONE elses, just HIS!
Dan
Guest
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Disco
Roar Guru
Arthur, and probably the other selectors, are in complete awe of Ponting, so he'll stay for a while yet. That said, his poor showings in losses against England, SA and NZ - sides which each had bowlers moving the ball - demonstrated he's no longer a force against attacks of that calibre, not even on home turf. If other, younger options aren't tried and persevered with in the middle order then it's hardly fair to claim there's no-one who can do better than Ponting's been doing during a gradual five-year slide. Ponting's determined to go to England, no doubt, but seems motivated by the three Ashes series losses he suffered as a blundering captain and possibility by insecurity regarding his post-cricket future. I don't think the selectors should be indulging him; it's not in the interests of the team.
Australian Rules
Guest
+1
jameswm
Guest
Ponting won't voluntarily stand aside.
Australian Rules
Guest
In Ponting's last match he top-scored in Australia's 2nd innings. The match before that he top-scored in the 2nd innings. The match before that he was appallingly run-out by Watson. In the match before that he scored 60* and 221 (Adelaide) In the match before that he batted only once for 7 runs (WACA) In the match before that he scored 134 (SCG) In the match before that he was Australia's higher scorer, with 60 and 62 (MCG) I'm astounded by how quickly people jump on this guy. He is still regarded as the prize Australian scalp for every country in the world...except us.
Dubble Bubble
Guest
No one is forcing their way in.Ponting stays.
mp
Guest
i am pretty sure ponting made the bulk of his runs this summer when the score was close to 2/20 nearly each time. despite the 'inept' indian attack we were reguarly in early trouble. if you take out ponting what kind of batting line up do we have with doubts over the top 3 and people calling for hussey aswell. whilst i am going why cant our so called best batsmen bat any higher than 5? you would think he would bat at 3, taking the pressure off the likes of kwhaja and marsh and any other poor bugger they throw in there and expect to bat like ricky. i am sure it has been such a luxury for ponting to drop down to no.4 given the no. 3's we have had since.