On Thursday, Anthony Mundine for once in his colourful career said something with a lot of merit, “Age ain’t nothin’ but a thing.
“That’s what’s the problem with you people in Australia, you just think that at 37, or 31 when you’re playing football you’re done, you’re over; but you’re not done. If your desire’s there, your dedication, your hard work, your determination, that’s all you’ve got to show.”
The former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting is echoing Mundine’s sentiments in what will be his 13th Australian summer of cricket, which starts on November 5 against the Proteas.
Just like Mundine, Ponting is also 37 and still feels he has just as much to offer now compared to ten years ago as a bellicose top-order batsman with a hook-shot like none other in world cricket.
“I wouldn’t be here as a 37 year old if I didn’t enjoy the game as much as I did,” Ponting said.
“The contest for me still means as much as ever but once that one-on-one competitiveness goes, then it’s probably time for me not to be playing.”
Ponting’s expiry date has been a point of discussion for most cricket fans ever since he sprouted a Virender Sehwag devon slice on the top of his head, but Ponting gave his strongest indication last summer he’s intent on holding his position within the highest echelon of Australian cricket.
544 runs at an average of 108.8 against India makes for impressive reading, but Ponting will be working tirelessly to be able to combat the red-hot South African pace attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander in a four Test series.
The Tasmanian’s audacious temperament in the middle reflects his burning desire off the field to become a better cricketer at every training session and prolong his phenomenal career.
“All I’ve ever wanted to achieve out of the game is to be a successful individual within a cricket team and hopefully do so for the remainder of my career,” said Ponting.
He says the Aussies will have to be at their best if they are to outplay the current world number one Test side.
“Every contest I’ve had with them has been enthralling whether it be one-dayers, T20s or Test cricket and at the moment they are deservedly the best team in the world,” said Ponting. “Their fast bowling attack is the best and their batting line-up is probably the best in world cricket too.
“I think we all understand and know that if we play our best cricket for long enough then we’ll beat anybody.”
Coming off a 4-0 trouncing of India last summer, Australia’s team on paper looks formidable to say the least.
Hard-hitters David Warner and Shane Watson will come before a top order of Ponting, Clarke and Hussey, who between them have amassed 25,151 runs at the combined average of 51.12, while Australia’s contingent of pace spearheads will look set to pepper the South African top order.
To back against Ricky Ponting would be like throwing $100 on a horse in the gate beside Black Caviar. He says that climbing back up the cricket rankings and regaining a winning culture like that of Steve Waugh’s side in the early 2000’s is not unachievable.
“The direction from Cricket Australia and from the playing group is that we want to get ourselves back to being the number one team in the game in all three formats,” said Ponting. “We’ll leave no stone unturned and we’ll give ourselves the best chance to do that.
“We don’t want to be taking any steps back.”
Let’s hope the only step back Ricky Ponting will be taking this summer will be to the offside, before a perfectly timed pull shot that goes for six over deep square leg’s head.
Disco
Roar Guru
He actually scored 167 there against South Africa in 2008.
Richard
Guest
Apologies, should read- "his" highest score since 2003 at the MCG
Richard
Guest
Good point. The Vics lower order consolidated well to avoid the follow on. A dad showing no mercy. He is obviously feeling refreshed from his time off. He batted for six hours I think and I heard it was the highest first class knock at the MCG since his last big one in 2003. The youngsters coming through need to develop that and not to mention his fielding ability which would still put many a youngster to shame.
Decentric
Guest
Ponting is a legend!
Pope Paul VII
Guest
The Taswegians and South Aussies probably did bowl better but the Vics and Qlders probably both tired from chasing leather for a day and a half. However that only means they had to apply themselves better or perish. Not to take anything away from Ponting but it must have been a bit like bowling to their Dad for Siddle and Pattinson.
jameswm
Guest
If the track was dead, why are the Vics truggling? Maybe Bird, Butterworth and Faulkner bowled better that Siddle, Pattinson and McKay?
Disco
Roar Guru
On the contrary. But seeing as I didn't even talk about Ponting on this thread, how about you argue your case with others who have? You know my opinion on the Ponting and it's revealing that you find it so hard to accept the views of those that put his 'legend' status to one side when analysing his position in the side.
Aaron
Guest
can't read sarcasm can you?
Disco
Roar Guru
Like I said, Australia's last test series was against the West Indies - keep talking up your hero as much as you like, but that's a fact.
ak
Guest
Personally I don't know why McDonald was ever selected for Tests.
Aaron
Guest
don't know what your talking about, it's all in your imagination...the west indies tests... ponting out of form...he was the 2nd highest australian run scorer in the series, alongside fellow oldie m hussey, more than cowan, warner, watson, even clarke. unfortunately that only existed in your imagination, but don't worry, there are institutions for people like you.
Richard
Guest
Ponting has given Pattinson and Siddle a bit of a wake up call. Maybe the track was dead I don't know even so Hastings kept the run rate down and picked up 2 wickets and Tas got through the Vic top order . We need our front line quick's on song if we are going to beat SA.
Brett McKay
Expert
Guys, the Australia A team is named on Friday...
jameswm
Guest
Sorry I mean for the test team. I'd definitely have those two in the A team.
Matt h
Guest
Lynn is out of form and got left out.
Jason
Guest
Hard to think of a stupider idea to be honest.
Jason
Guest
Forrest out for 4 today and Ussie out for 19.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Hey There Jameswm re "And I don’t know that Hughes or Khawaja has scored a Shield ton this year yet. No one gets picked until they score consistetly." Do you mean for Australia A match or replacements for the test team?
Matt F
Roar Guru
I want more consistency from Cosgrove, Henriques and Ferguson. Ferguson has been a fairly consistent underperformer in first class cricket while Henriques has had 2 good games. That hundred he made is so far his only first class century. I want to see him play good consistent cricket over at least one summer before putting him in the A side. Cosgrove is just annoying. He averages 60+ one season then under 40 the next! I think last year he averaged in the 30's but looks like he'll dominate the competition this summer. His record suggests that next summer he'll faulter again. He has so much talent which makes him even more frustrating. Actually all 3 do. I didn't actually have Bailey in my mind when I started to make the team. Like you I'm not 100% sure that he's good enough to ever be a test regular but he averaged about 60 last summer and given how I picked the team he more or less forced his way in. I think Hazlewood is a gun bowler but he keeps getting injured. I wouldn't have major issues with him being picked but I'd like to see him string some matches together to see if he's physically up to meeting the demands of top level cricket. He'll get there but I think he may be a year or so away. It's also why I'm hesitant to throw Cummins straight into the test side, though that's probably a topic for another day.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Yeah it's a bit dubious. Anyway half of Australia's first class players migrated to Angleterre for a wet, mostly batsman hating, season to battle with and against it. Maybe one of the Argus report Argonauts came up with the idea?