CricDigs Blogs

I can understand if some of you may have developed some feelings of sympathy for the Aussie skipper — Ricky Ponting. When is the last time anyone heard an Australian player admitting that they would be returning home with their tails between their legs? Well, I am not one of them. I am enjoying every moment of the backlash that Ponting is receiving back home and with the Indian media. Cricket Australia has pulled up Ricky asking for an explanation of the events that lead to a very rare 2-0 defeat in a test match series. People are questioning his defensive tactics. I guess most of them are forgetting what Ian Chappell keeps repeating — a captain is only as good as the team. Just look at the Aussie squad.

It is depleted without any world-beating pace bowler with Brett Lee’s form nosediving. Krejza might have impressed a few people with his 8-wicket haul in the first innings of the Nagpur test, but he is certainly no Shane Warne, but is that really a valid excuse? After all, the Aussies have always been proud of finding the best replacements for their world beating squad. Even the staunchest of Ponting supporters like Steven Waugh have left him in the lurch. Everybody is baying for his blood. It isn’t every day that an Aussie team is defeated 2 to nil. Ponting has been guilty of letting the Indians dictate terms to him. His fast bowlers never seemed to keen to try and bounce the Indian batsmen.

He chose Cameron White despite reservations from the selection committee. What role did White exactly play in the squad? He never looked like a wicket-taker. He never threatened as a batsmen and he was uninspiring with his presence on the field. Further, the reported spat with Lee has spoiled Ponting’s reputation. To add to his problems, Ponting has taken upon a somewhat uncharacteristic role when facing the media in India. He seems to have humbled down and does no longer seem like the foul-mouthed, will-shoot-from-the-lips before thinking sort of a person he was till last season.