Ricky Ponting remains firm, vows not to quit
Australia’s captain Ricky Ponting is not considering retirement even though his captaincy career seems to be all but over.
Ponting was ruled out of the last and fifth Test match of the Ashes series due to a broken finger. Ponting broke the little finger of his left hand during the third Test match at Perth, but he recovered from the injury to appear in the fourth Test match.
The Australian skipper stated that he was disappointed when the injury unravelled itself again in the fourth Test match at Melbourne.
“I’m devastated to tell you the truth, it was the news I was dreading,” the distressed captain said as he arrived in Sydney.
Ponting went through tests immediately after the Melbourne Test was wrapped up as his team slumped to an innings and 157-run defeat on Wednesday. England retained the urn and the Ashes title, winning for the first time in 24 years on Australian soil.
X-rays revealed that the right-handed batsman had further damaged the minor injury and was therefore out of the Sydney Test. Ponting has been criticised recently for his poor form and his unsuccessful attempt to lead the team in the Ashes.
Ponting also found himself involved in a referral row in the Melbourne Test when he challenged the decision of umpire Aleem Dar against England batsman Kevin Pietersen. Ponting was seen arguing over the decision of Dar and the TV umpire and was fined 40
per cent of his match fee.
Due to this and his faltering form, critics and former players have been calling for Ponting’s retirement.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell said that Ponting should resign himself as the captain before the national selectors show him the door.
Despite the setback, Ponting was adamant that he does not feel that international cricket is over for him.
“I’m not thinking about it at all. I want to keep playing,” he told the media.
He said that he was looking forward to lead the side in the World Cup, saying that he wants to be the best player and leader in a bid to win their fourth consecutive World Cup.
However, it remains to be seen whether Ponting will be getting the chance to captain the side. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 will be leading the squad in the absence of Ponting for the last Test match at Sydney as well as in the limited overs
series against England.
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