Ashes 2010-11: Michael Clarke to replace Ricky Ponting as captain in final Test
Michael Clarke will lead Australia in the final Test match of the Ashes series, which begins on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The veteran batsman will be replacing injured captain Ricky Ponting, who has been ruled out
of the final match in order to avoid risking aggravating his fractured little finger.
“Given the injury to Ricky Ponting the national selection panel made a recommendation to the Cricket Australia Board this afternoon that Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 assume captaincy of the Australian Cricket team for the fifth and final Vodafone
Ashes Test match in Sydney and for the Commonwealth Bank one-day series,” said Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 chief executive officer James Sutherland. “This recommendation was unanimously endorsed by directors.”
Ponting injured his finger during the third Ashes Test in Perth. Although Ponting did play in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he had to be given a painkiller injection during the second innings, which numbed
his entire left arm and hampered his batting efforts. The captain left to get x-rays done on his finger as England were wrapping up the match at the MCG, and will see a specialist on Friday to determine whether he needs surgery. He has been advised to sit
out the Sydney Test so that he can do what is needed to make sure he is fit in time for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
While Ponting’s captaincy has been under attack due to Australia’s humiliating Ashes series this year and his own dismal performance with the bat (he scored only 113 runs in the first four games), Clarke himself has been in poor
form and his appointment has not been looked upon favourably by cricket fans in Australia. But Australian coach Tim Nielsen is confident Clarke – who has been Ponting’s vice captain for the past three years – will prove himself in Sydney.
“Over next couple of weeks the Australian public will see a different Michael Clarke,” said Nielsen. “He has the chance to relax. He is not man in waiting anymore, he is the man and that is a big weight off his shoulders. His form
is not what he would like it to be but I’m comfortable his strength of character will allow him to step into the job and do a good job. It’s huge moment for him and we all need to support him. Michael grabs people through his performance and is a natural leader
and that is why he has been appointed why Ricky is not playing. He has confidence to take risks and back himself under pressure.”
Meanwhile, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729, the Pakistan-born left-handed batsman from Sydney, will be replacing Ponting at number three in the Australian batting order. The 24-year-old, who has been the leading run-scorer in Sheffield Shield cricket
this season, will be the first Muslim to represent Australia.
“Ricky Ponting isn't going to play for Australia forever,” said Nielsen. “Someone's got to bat at number three after him and they're always going to feel a little bit of pressure stepping into his shoes. There's always going to
be comparisons made and whoever does that will have big shoes to fill. But Usman has been, if not the best, in the top couple of domestic players over the past couple of years. Technically he's very sound and mentally he's strong and looking forward to the
opportunity. I think he'll do a good job.”
Another change in the line-up will be medium-pace bowler Ryan Harris’ replacement by left-arm fast bowler replaced by Doug Bollinger. Harris sustained an ankle injury during the last Test.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will be Clarke’s vice-captain in Sydney.
“Obviously we are very disappointed to have failed to win back the Ashes but we look forward to trying to level the series in Sydney,” said Andrew Hilditch, chairman of the National Selection Panel. “With Ricky being unavailable
for this match we are sure that both Michael and Brad will lead this Australian side with great professionalism and the full support of the team as we strive for a victory in Sydney.”
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