Ponting should buy freedom by stepping down as Australia captain
Ricky Ponting has never had it this tough in his career. Defeats on Indian soil were still considered pardonable but an innings defeat on home soil against bitter rivals England has damaged the ‘Punter’ so much that pressure to step down as captain is piping hot. Stepping down may be emotionally tough for Ponting but it could prove to be the right medicine to get his batting back on track
The first innings defeat at home this decade and the worst in many decades. This will surely haunt the Aussie fan for days, maybe even years. What it has already done is dent the pride of the Aussies who are now not only down but certainly out. The defeat at the Adelaide Oval has sent shockwaves across a nation that always took enormous pride from its cricketing systems and the ability to churn out match-winners almost every other day. But, today, the same nation is bereft of cricketing winners. The fire power that defined the Australian cricket through the 90s and early part of this decade has gone completely missing.
My good cricketing friend was telling me over a cup of tea how Australian cricket today is the most toothless one among the best cricketing nations. You can pardon Zimbabwe or New Zealand or may be even the current West Indies team for failing to pick 20 wickets required in a test match but not the Australian team. Agreed it has been a huge phase of transition but transition is only physical and never mental. Who is to be blamed for this mess? The team, the captain or the coach?
The immediate talking point in cricketing circles now revolves around Ricky Ponting. Should the 'punter' step down as the captain before the third test in 10 days time at the WACA in Perth? Or will any such step end up being too much of a kneejerk reaction?
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