Don’t be surprised to see a familiar face back in 2013
AS AN international cricket captain you can only hope that when your time is up you can leave the position with dignity.
Thankfully, Ricky Ponting had the benefit of that when he announced his retirement and although he’s had his low points, notably against England, he’s never hidden and always stood up for his team.
Those who think he’ll slope off into the sunset will be mistaken though. I don’t think he’ll have any problem slotting back into the team and he remains his side’s best batsman.
If anything, relieved of the pressures of captaincy, Ponting may well be given a new lease of life. It depends on his attitude and his desire, but from everything we know about him, I’m sure he’ll have his eye on an Ashes series in England in 2013.
I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if he was still an integral part of Australia’s batting line-up when that series comes around.
TOUGH DILEMMA FOR STRAUSS
WHILE Ricky Ponting’s tenure came to a natural end, I don’t believe the time is right for England’s Andrew Strauss to relinquish the one-day captaincy.
With Paul Collingwood’s international career seemingly over, there is no natural safe pair of hands to pass the responsibility to. Stuart Broad is too young and although I’d like to see Ian Bell given the job, he’s not certain of his place.
Strauss’s relationship with coach Andy Flower and the ECB is strong, and if they want him to stay on, although it may not suit his priorities, he may be forced into a tough position.