Ricky Ponting failed to fire in the first Test, but results will not determine when the former Australian captain retires.
Cricket Australia has become a politically driven institution built on money, success and results. But I’m sure they will make an exception for one of their greatest legends.
Ponting is one of Australia’s most decorated Test cricketers, with an average of 52.75 and 41 centuries to his name over an 18-year career.
The champion batsmen took over the reins as captain in 2004 after Steve Waugh’s retirement. In Ponting’s seven-year tenure as skipper, he led Australia in 44 Tests with a success rate of 65 percent.
But just before Ponting blew out 36 candles on his birthday cake, his side relinquished the Ashes on home soil.
The loss of cricket’s holy grail in 2010-11 foreshadowed a tumultuous 18 months for Ponting, conceding the captaincy and struggling to string together consistent batting performances.
Opposition teams and coaches have identified deficiencies in Ricky Ponting’s techniques, which they have exploited.
Ponting tends to fall over his body early in his innings, which leaves him open to LBW dismissals. And he tends to push at balls outside off-stump early in his innings, which leads to edges behind the wicket, as was the case in the first Test.
Statistically, Ponting has been very patchy this calendar year. After a career-defining 200 against a lacklustre Indian attack in January, Ponting posted only one score above 50 in his six innings against the Windies in April.
The duck against South Africa last week makes it three ducks in his last four innings against the Proteas.
Ponting is in the twilight of his career and every failed score poses more questions on when he will retire.
Cricket Australia is reluctant to sack Ponting given his role in consolidating Australia as a cricketing powerhouse during the 2000s.
In 2006, Ponting was awarded the Allan Border Medal, ICC Test Player of the year, ICC player of the year and Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
The countless captain’s knocks and rescue missions Ponting has undertaken has helped build the Australian success synonymous with his career.
It is not just with the bat in hand; Ponting mentored players like his successor Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle, who will lead Australia in the future.
The Australian cricket team is in transition and age is often the excuse fans and commentators use to warrant Ponting’s departure.
But international legends Sachin Tendulkar (39) and Jacques Kallis (37) are still churning out runs, with Kallis recording 147 runs in the first Test.
Age should not be a factor. Nor should form. Techniques and temperaments can be tweaked with time, so results should not be the sole measurement.
All forms of Australian cricket should celebrate Ponting’s service during the modern era.
The team, officials and public should respect him enough to let him go out on his own terms.
When the time comes, Ponting will know; as a former Australian captain, making tough decisions wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary.
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