Punter

Is the end nigh for Ricky Ponting?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17094222

After being dropped for the remainder of the tri-nation series, Ponting's test future looks uncertain. After averaging over 100 in the recent series vs India, let's hope not.

I would have thought his place in the Test team won't be under threat, and I can't see Ricky voluntarily leaving international cricket just yet.

I know the Australian selectors have been idiots at times - but even they wouldn't drop a batsman who averaged ~103 in the last test series!

BuLioli wrote:I would have thought his place in the Test team won't be under threat, and I can't see Ricky voluntarily leaving international cricket just yet.

I know the Australian selectors have been idiots at times - but even they wouldn't drop a batsman who averaged ~103 in the last test series!

I cannot see him being dropped but he may retire after being dropped from the ODI team.

Stella wrote:

BuLioli wrote:I would have thought his place in the Test team won't be under threat, and I can't see Ricky voluntarily leaving international cricket just yet.

I know the Australian selectors have been idiots at times - but even they wouldn't drop a batsman who averaged ~103 in the last test series!

I cannot see him being dropped but he may retire after being dropped from the ODI team.

I would have thought that like a lot of international cricketers, he would concentrate on the one format for the rest of his playing days i.e. Tests. Originally worked for Shaun Tait when he gave up on Tests for the one-day game types.

But then again, I don't know how Punter is thinking, so I can't really make predictions or theories with accuracy!

Awaiting his presser with interest. Very much hoping it is just to announce his ODI retirement. One last hurrah against us Poms in 2013 would be worthwhile viewing, I'm sure.

I would be VERY surprised if he retired from Tests - all indications are that he wants to go on until 2013. Any suggestion he will is probably media-talk (the media love a retirement as it gives them lots to write about and lets them start talking about filling the gap as well).

He may well retire from ODIs though.

I'm not sure about Inverarity's selection panel so far. They've got some praise but they are a little too old-fashioned/pragmatic for my liking. It seems they want to make a 'big call' in every squad they name and over-tinker with things.

punter was given the choice of reitiring on his own terms, or being dropped from odi side....the latter was taken, and the head selector phoned him to tell him that he had been dropped, i have seen an article confirming that.

It's a shame that we (probably) won't be seeing Ponting in the green and yellow kit again - oddly enough, as an Englishman, I actually admire and respect Ponting more than any other player in world cricket today, and that includes anyone from the England set up.

I imagine he'll have another couple of test series in him, though. His form was superb against India and, much like Steve Waugh before him, I suspect he'll have one last great patch before bowing out of the five-day game. Not quite sure he'll still be there for the 2013 Ashes, but I don't think he's done quite yet.

Ponting will carry on.

My hunch was wrong but I'm happy he's playing on.

Will he carry on only in the tests Stella or also in ODI's?

Just read it now. He has not retired but does not expect to ever get picked again. Thats pretty much retirement then.

Good that he still wants to play tests as he still has bucket loads to offer there.

Yes, he is still available but tbh I think that will be it now.

Glad he is still playing in tests. He may be at the beginning of a purple patch at to bow out now would have a few what if's.

My favourite player Punter. Love watching him bat and the grit he takes into all aspects of the game is commendable. Really happy he'll carry on in the test matches.

hampo171 wrote:My favourite player Punter. Love watching him bat and the grit he takes into all aspects of the game is commendable. Really happy he'll carry on in the test matches.

Here here, hampo.

Here is a piece I wrote on Punter last night, prior to his announcement. Shows the regard I hold him in as both a player and a competitor.

http://andy-bloxham.blogspot.com/2012/02/most-respectable-of-foes.html

Very pleased that he will be carrying on. That Ashes win in England is still on his mind, it'd seem!

Nice article and nice missus

Great article on Ponting that, Fists.

As I said earlier, my admiration and respect for him as a player goes beyond (far beyond, in fact) any other in world cricket today. His twin hundreds in his century test against South Africa in January 2006 is without doubt one of the most outstanding pieces of brilliance I've ever seen in my time watching cricket.

A fine tribute Fists, my compliments to you!

88Chris05 wrote:Great article on Ponting that, Fists.

As I said earlier, my admiration and respect for him as a player goes beyond (far beyond, in fact) any other in world cricket today. His twin hundreds in his century test against South Africa in January 2006 is without doubt one of the most outstanding pieces of brilliance I've ever seen in my time watching cricket.

A fine tribute Fists, my compliments to you!

Never saw those but his 140 odd not out against South Africa was my favourite Punter knock.

Fists. Very nice piece on Ponting. Should he come over in 2013 - and it's certainly possible - then I think he'll be afforded the kind of Tendulkar-like receptions he deserves. Unfortunately from an England point of view he might make a mountain of runs.
Not sure where he stands in the all-time Aussie/world Test best batsman list. Pretty high, I would think.

His match-saving 100 at Old Trafford in 2009 is up there too...different sort of innings but vital in the circumstances.

I'd be very surprised if he made it to England in 2013 , but unless some of the young Australian batsmen start to score with consistency in Tests the selectors will not be rushing him out the door.

The unfortunate thing is I cannot ever see him "quitting on a high" as he could have after the India Tests : he will probably play on until another run of outs coincides with someone new having a couple of good innings and he will be dropped similarly to this ODI exit.

Still it is his choice , and in truth the way a career ends is not really that important ... he has been a truly great player , and is still a very good one.

He was dropped, theres an interview with Clarke saying he played a role in that decision. Frankly it doesnt seem harsh, and Im sure Ponting has no problem with it.
To not pick him for the next test series would be a huge call though, and hes indicated he wants to continue there. Id be very surprised if he isnt around for a while yet. Aus still have a lot of uncertainty in their batting line up.

Not to surprised to see him dropped from the ODI side after his return so far this series and expect Punter views that the same way!

Would be very surprised if he was dropped from the test side any time soon however. Still an outstanding batsmen and fielder (very impressive now he's getting on a bit!) - wouldn't be at all surprised to see him go on for a few years scoring a lot in test's.

A very good article on Punter

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/554672.html?addata=col_mod