Ricky Ponting’s Reputation at Stake
The Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has realized that as he is approaching the end of his career, he has a lot more at stake. Ponting knows that his reputation will suffer the most if he does not end on a high note.
Nevertheless, the flamboyant batsman is sure that his career will not end based on the outcome of the Ashes. The Australian skipper believes that no matter what happens in the Ashes, he is still indispensable as a player for Australia.
His tally as a leader includes forty-seven wins in seventy-three Tests, a ratio that is second only to Viv Richards and Steve Waugh. His record as a captain speaks for itself, though this record might be over looked for future
selections because of the recent losses suffered by Australia under Ponting’s captaincy. Another defeat in the upcoming Ashes might just end Ricky Ponting’s illustrious career once and for all.
The Australian skipper led his squad to back-to-back World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007, and now Ponting is aiming to clinch three World Cups in row as a captain next year. Although Australia, for the first time in two decades,
seem unlikely contenders to lift the most prized cup in cricket, but still Ponting’s men can never be considered out and done. If Australia manages to clinch three World Cups under his leadership, it will surely be a perfect way for Ponting to call it quits.
However, before the World Cup the Aussie skipper has a bigger problem to tackle, which is the Ashes. For Australia and England the Ashes is the most sought after victory. The outcome of Ashes for the players of both the sides can
have both good and adverse effects on their careers, and the players are well aware of the fact that Ashes can be a make-or-break point in their careers.
The major cause of concern for Ricky Ponting is the fact that if http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 loses the upcoming Ashes series, Ponting will become the first Aussie skipper since 1890 to lead his side to three Ashes defeats. This will put a dark patch
on his career for the rest of eternity.
When asked about his prospects, he said, “Of course I am worried about a legacy, but if it is how I am remembered, so be it. The reason I play the game and cherish the captaincy so much is that I want to make sure the team are
in a better position when I leave than when I started. I want to make sure I have got a good group of leaders under me when my time comes to move on and that is why I spend so much time with the younger group. I am always the first on the training track and
the last one to leave, and most of that time is spent helping the younger guys understand different things about the game. Of course I am worried about the legacy because I want to leave a great legacy for Australian cricket.”
Ponting believes that he will play to his level best and try to win games for his country, until he retires. He knows that whenever he has managed to score big runs, the team has mostly won that game. The skipper is well aware
of his role in the team and feels that he will have to take his game to a higher level in the Ashes to inspire the younger lads in the national squad.
The Tasmanian expects the English bowlers to target him as he holds the key to Australia’s success in the Ashes. This might put a bit more pressure on the struggling captain, but Ponting is quite confident of his prospects in the
upcoming clash against the English side.
Ponting, who was made captain in 2002, has had a successful stint except for the last one year, which is when the Aussies ran out of success and after a very long time the world was finally able to defeat the mighty Australians.
This includes defeats at the hands of England, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120. The Ashes will not just be another clash between
England and Australia; moreover, it is going to be a battle of survival for most of the members of the Australian squad.
Tags: