Michael Clarke appointed Australian captain, following Ricky Ponting’s resignation
Michael Clark was named as Australia’s new captain after Ricky Ponting stepped down from the role yesterday. Star all-rounder Shane Watson will be the new deputy to Clarke. The first assignment for the stylish player will be the three match One Day International
(ODI) series against Bangladesh, which will be played in April this year.
On his appointment as Australian skippe, Clarke said, “It is a great honour to be appointed captain of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 but at the same time a great surprise as I wasn't expecting Ricky Ponting to stand down.”
He further added, “I don't sit here and believe I can get the whole of this country to like me, people are always going to have their own views, but for me it's about respect, it's about earning that respect, leading the team in the right way, playing cricket
in the right manner.”
Former captain Ponting will also be in the Australian-11 and Clarke has no problems with that. The newly appointed captain claimed that he had great respect for the veteran player, who led his team to two World Cup victories and many other triumphs.
Clarke further added that Ponting was not such a person who would interfere in anyone’s job. He said that the veteran player has been phenomenal for the team and will continue to perform the way he had been doing in the past.
Although Ponting lost his last game as a captain, he secured his place in the team with a brilliant century. The stylish first-drop player rose to the occasion against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in a quarter-final match of the ICC World Cup, but his effort went in vain, as the
bowlers failed to defend the target.
Following Ponting’s dismal show in the Ashes series against England, there were suggestions that the aging cricketer should bat at number four. However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 hinted that one of the best Australian batsmen will continue to bat as their first-drop player
during the ODI matches against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
There haven’t been many changes made to the Australian squad, which featured in the World Cup. Express pace bowler Shaun Tait, who announced his retirement from ODI cricket after his team’s defeat against India, was replaced by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Pattinson-c1653.
On the other hand, tall off-spinner Jason Krejza was dropped from the squad and left-arm-spinner Xavier Doherty was drafted in the side. Krejza was the third choice spinner in the Australian squad for the World cup after Nathan Hauritz and Doherty sustained
injuries ahead of the mega event.
The Kangaroos will now look forward to regain their dominant form in all formats of the game, expecting Clarke to lead by example. The 14-man squad for the Bangladesh series is as follows:
Michael Clarke (capt), Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting, Cameron White, Mike Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Tim Paine (wk), Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings, Brett Lee, Xavier Doherty, James Pattinson.
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