Arthur speaks out against doubts over Ponting’s Test career – Cricket News Update
Despite veteran Australian batsman and former skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 being under fire from all quarters, the Aussie coach, Mickey Arthur, has spoken in support of the right-handed batsman and three-time World Cup champion (twice as skipper), who is currently
representing his national Test squad on-tour in the Caribbean.
"He had a run out which wasn't his fault. He got a ball which scuttled along the deck (in Barbados) and he got a pretty good delivery in the first innings here (Trinidad)," said Australian coach, Mickey Arthur, regarding Ponting’s performance in the Test
series against West Indies.
The 37-year-old Tasmanian was axed from the One Day International squad in February this year, during the Commonwealth Bank Series, which saw him post 6, 2 and 7 runs on the board in his last three ODIs, against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
After his ODI retirement, the veteran focused on the Test format, and went back to List-A and First-class matches, where playing for his home side, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tasmania-c854, he registered scores such as 75, 130 and 111, before travelling with the national side to the Caribbean.
In the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978, Ponting
failed to carry his domestic form into the series, scoring 4 and 14 in his two innings.
The 2nd Test, which ended in a draw due to rain, saw Ponting post a disappointing 7 in the first innings, while his 41-run knock in the second outing was a relief, but apparently not enough to silence his critics. The 3rd Test is scheduled
to begin tomorrow, on April 23, and this maybe Ponting’s last chance to prove his worth in the 5-day format; however, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mickey-Arthur-c1969 categorically stated that he is not perturbed by Ponting’s form, and believes that was it not for Ponting’s age, there would
have been no talks about his career coming to an end due to poor performances.
The last and final match of Australia’s tour of the Caribbean will be played from April 23 to 27, at Roseau, and while the Aussies have a chance at clinching the series, the Windies can end this in another frustrating draw before sending the tourists home.
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