Ricky Ponting; Confident Ahead of The Test Match Against Pakistan
Today, when Australia take on Pakistan at Lord’s there will be a lot at stake; the Australians wish to maintain an unbeaten run against a resurgent Pakistan ahead of the long awaited Ashes against England later this year. Australian captain, Ricky Ponting is attempting to make his mark at Lord’s, the three Tasmanians who have been selected in the national Test side for the very first time will be proud to represent the minority and impress the selectors and fans. Last but not least, this will be an opportunity for the new http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 to get an important win with a team he claims to have reunited after turmoil in the Pakistan camp, which led to the exclusion of Muhammad Yousuf and Younis Khan from the squad.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 have had a good start to the year, winning seven of their eight Tests, putting the memory of last year’s fruitless England tour behind them. The upcoming match against Pakistan will be important ahead of the three other Test series they play later on this year to cement their winning ways and especially to regain their confidence in time for the Ashes.
The Ashes is undoubtedly considered the greatest trophy, the greatest honour a captain could hope to achieve. So it will be important for Ricky Ponting to lead his team to victory against Pakistan, who has not beaten Australia in a Test series for nearly 15 years now.
While talking to reporters ahead of the match, Ponting said he believed the way to contain the spirited Pakistan team was to stop Captain Shahid Afridi. With Younis Khan and Muhammad Yousuf being left out from the squad, Afridi is the most experienced from the group of youngsters, and Ponting is confident if he is taken out, the rest of the team won’t stand a chance. "From an outsider's point of view at the moment it looks as though they're sort of running a bit off him," Ponting said. "I think a lot of their younger blokes look up to him and he's their leader, the bloke they go to when they need something to happen, so it's pretty much like every captain of every side is. We always talk about trying to nullify the captain and take the captain down early and we'll try and do that in this series as well, there's no doubt about that."
Ponting’s personal glory at Lord’s is also within reach, however, this will be the 35 year olds last attempt at it. His highest score in his last three Lord’s appearances is 42 and his average at Lord’s is a mere 18 compared to his career average of 55.22. He was devastated last year when he realized it was his last attempt to set a higher score, when he finished with only 2 and 38, but because of Lord’s new honours board for neutral Test matches, Ponting has been given another chance. He will be eager to join the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warren-Bardsley-c96221, both Australian, who scored centuries in the neutral Tests held at Lord’s. "It would have been nice to get on there in an Ashes Test match. That might happen, but we will have to wait and see. Unfortunately my record hasn't been great here at Lord's. I have an opportunity over the next few days to try to rectify that a little bit.” Pointing told reporters.
Lastly, Afridi who took over from disgraced Captains Muhammad Yousuf and Younis Khan has a point to prove. Even though the ban on Younis was lifted, he was not recalled to the national side because of “inappropriate statements”, signifying continuing distress in the Pakistan camp. Nevertheless Afridi claims to have united the team, with results apparent on the field with their latest wins. “It is a difficult job, especially with the different cultures, and the different cities but I respect these guys and whatever their problems are I listen and talk to the management,” Afirdi told reporters. This will be a physical challenge for Afridi as well, he comes out of retirement to play his first Test in four years, and that too against Australia, who Pakistan have failed to beat in 15 years.
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