Ricky Ponting quits as captain of Australia – Cricket update
Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting, stands down from the captaincy of Tests and ODIs in the wake of his side’s exit from the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2011 quarter-final. He made his decision public on Tuesday after his squad arrived back
in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 from the Subcontinent.
Ponting, while making the announcement in the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), said that he will continue as a batsman in both forms of cricket. The veteran also supported Michael Clarke taking up the position after his exit.
Ponting further added that, “Today is a new start for me and I am very excited about the future. I will give my complete support to our new captain and continue to do my best to set the best possible example for my team-mates and emerging cricketers alike."
Ponting also said that no one has forced him to step down from the captaincy; rather he has made the announcement after the Kangaroos departure from the ongoing mega event. The 36-year-old said that he took the decision after taking all the pros and cons
into account. He added that it is the right time to hand over the responsibility of both Test and ODI to the next captain, who will introduce his own directions and policies. He said that Australian cricket will have to do everything they can to win the Ashes
2013-14 and World Cup 2015.
Ponting also expressed his great interest in the tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747, including the three match One-Day series to be played on 9, 11 and 13 April. The squad for this tour will be announced on Wednesday, while Clarke’s inclusion as a captain is confirmed after
Ponting stepped down the post.
Ponting gave a marvellous batting performance in the quarter-final against India where he scored 104 of 118 balls but remained unable to lead his team to the victory. After his brilliant performance he said that it will be memorable performance in his last
World Cup quarter-final.
The right-handed batsman has led Australia as captain for nine years and under his captaincy, his side has clinched the World title twice. Ponting took over the Australian team from Steve Waugh, who lead his side in 77 Tests with 48 wins, which is the most
by any captain so far. Out of the 228 ODIs, 164 came in as wins, in which Ponting has captained the Australian team.
Playing 42 World Cup innings, Ponting has amassed 1743 runs at an average of 45.86 including five centuries and six fifties. His highest World Cup score includes an unbeaten 140 which he hit against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in 2003.
Clarke, who is now appointed as the new captain for the Aussies, has previously lead as skipper in the absence of Ponting. In Australia’s 3-1 Ashes loss to England, Clarke took over the team after Ponting was ruled out due to an injury he sustained in the
third Test. Following this loss, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 guided his side to a brilliant 6-1 victory in the seven match ODI series against England, just before the World Cup 2011.
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