Ricky Ponting
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting will “definitely” work his way out and play in the 4th Ashes test after fracturing a finger in the third test, according to batting coach Justin Langer. “I would be amazed if Ricky doesn’t play in this test, he is that tough physically and mentally,” Langer told Sydney Morning Herald. At one all in the series, Boxing Day plus a chance to win the Ashes… he will definitely be there,” he added.
Ponting got injured while trying to catch a rocket in the slip quadrant and now his battling with his injury so that he makes it to the fourth ashes test. Ponting, 36, has been in poor form from the last 6th months and has scored only 83 runs and 51 of those runs coming in a single match in the first test in Brisbane. A struggling Australian team needs players like Ponting to be back in good form in order to put up a formidable team for the world cup.
Langer has an ‘advantage in despair’ theory regarding Ponting’s injury. He says, “His injury might work in his favour. He has been trying so hard and this might help him relax and get ready for the test match. Rather than working too much and doing batting beforehand, this might be the breather we wanted”. Australians have their fingers crossed and will want the theory to work because Ponting’s successor Michael Clarke has been equally un-impressive scoring only 80 runs in three tests.
Former Australian skipper and cricketing legend Ian Chappel says that Clarke’s poor form would place him in a precarious position if he takes over from Ponting on long term basis. “I’m sure Clarke will get the job in Melbourne if Ricky can’t play. But, it’s a different question if you’re asking about permanent captaincy with Michael Clarke” Chappel expressed. He added, “England has sorted him out with some short pitch bowling. The last thing you need to do is appoint a long term captain when he’s got a bit of a problem with short pitched deliveries. Clarke has got to answer the questions as a batsman before he gets back to that position of being undoubtedly the replacement for Ponting.”
Tags: Ashes Series, Australia, Boxing Day Test, Cricket, England, Ian Chappel, Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Sydney Morning Herald
