Ponting Goes?

After the Boxing Day test match I wrote that the blame for the Australian downward spiral lies with Ponting and he must go. Looks like in less than a month after that, Cricket Australia has also come to the same conclusion, but they are calling this “rest” rather than a “sack”. Now I wonder which player worth his salt would like to let go an opportunity to thrash a weak team (NZ) and win some critics back rather than take a leisurely holiday. Secondly, as Steve Waugh said, if from here Michael Clarke wins the series 4-1 then how do the selectors bring back Ponting? Therefore I think this is a subtle message to Ponting to step down. This is the hard Australian “Perform or Perish” policy at work. We have seen how ruthless these guys are and some recent examples are Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.

Ponting is still a good batsman and a stellar fielder but the Aussies don’t have the tradition of ex-captains playing as normal players in the team. I think what Ponting also did not have was the true Australian sportsmanlike attitude. He was almost desperate to win at any cost and if that meant a Sydney like affair he would take that path with his eyes closed. He also influenced the players of his generation to play the same way and therefore possibly you have Hayden, Symonds and some others being loathed by other teams.

The other news that came from down under was the exclusion of Symonds from the SA tour. I think it is going to be very difficult for him to make a comeback. He is mentally not a very strong person and hence keeps getting in trouble with the authorities and players on a regular basis. Having talent is one thing and being able to handle the pressure and responsibility that comes with the role is another.

So it looks like a complete rebuilding of the Australian team is on the cards.