Ricky Ponting defends his role to lead Kangaroos in The Ashes
Ricky Ponting, Australian skipper, says he is still the right person to lead Kangaroos in the upcoming Ashes series amid questions over his tactics and calls for him to step aside as skipper.
Ponting reached Australia late yesterday after an embarrassing 2-0 Test series whitewash at the hands of India and was greeted by calls from former Australian fast bowler, Geoff Lawson to step down from his captaincy role.
Ponting was heavily criticised by his former Test teammate and the leg-spin prodigy of Australia Shane Warne for his field placement for off-spinner Nathan Hauritz bowling on the final day of the Bangalore Test.
Warne posted a message on micro-blogging internet site Twitter which read: "How the h**l can hauritz bowl to this field??" Warne tweeted. "Feeling for Hauritz, terrible!! What are these tactics? Sorry Ricky but what are you doing".
Though, both teammates had cleared the matter through an SMS conversation.
The Bangalore Test defeat was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s third successive loss while Ponting’s fifth series defeat as captain. This is a first over the period of more than two decades that the mighty Aussies have lost three Tests in a row. Concerns have mounted on Ponting’s
leadership skills ahead of the crucial five-Test home Ashes series.
Responding to reporter’s question, if he was the right choice to lead Kangaroos in next month’s Ashes series, Ponting replied briskly: "Absolutely, I've got no doubt about that at all".
Ponting acknowledged that the 2-0 series defeat against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 was disappointing “but that's the game of cricket”, said the battered skipper.
The 35-year-old opined that he has always given his absolute best to the team and that he is still learning about his game as well as his captaincy.
"I give my absolute best as always, ever since I've been the Australian captain, to be the best leader I can be and be the best player I can be and if I get criticised for that along the way then I can't do anything about that".
Ponting said that he is trying his absolute best to help the Australian side through some difficult times.
Lawson had yesterday called for the Australian vice captain Michael Clarke to lead Aussies in the Ashes series that kicks off in Brisbane from 25th of next month.
"I mean he's now lost five series, it may be time to say, 'Look mate, we've got Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 ready to go with a nice fresh young mind", said the Test paceman.
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