It would sound like a sore captain. And it is a sore captain.
Ricky Ponting’s Australian team tasted humiliating defeat in the Border Gavaskar Trophy but that it not why Ponting is feeling miserable. Not even after watching the terror unfold in Mumbai.
The reason the Australian skipper thinks he should have skipped the tour to India is because of the sore wrist that he is nursing. It has aggrieved him too much, it nearly put him in doubt for the Test series against South Africa. He has declared himself fit for the first Test but is hoping that taking care of the wrist through ice therapy will ensure the problem subsides entirely within a year’s time.
It is another cause for reason that too much of cricket is being played round the clock to the extent where players such as Ponting feel there is not time to even consider taking a break. Call it an occupational hazard!
Players Up in Arms
In fact, Cricket Australia is presently addressing similar woes where players are reluctant to adhere to such tight schedules and yet unwilling to lower their wage scales as it were. While some players appear fine with it, it is the senior lot mostly that does not want to be rested and therefore, demand a less work load and better pay.
As the players are on the verge of threatening to stay away from the field if their demands are not complied with, Cricket Australia will have to come up with a formula to ensure their best players remain signed to the national contract instead of opting for lucrative IPL/ICL deals like Adam Gilchrist and the lot.
The ICC had better watch this one because there could be lessons to be learnt.
Ponting fires another salvo
Ponting has not wasted opportunity on reminding the South Africans that despite regaining the second spot from India, little will change as far as Australia-South Africa equations are concerned, on the rankings board at least. Ponting is hoping that the legacy of number one as skipper of the Australian side is retained under him.
In that regard, he has also made a scathing comment that teams like South Africa and India cannot simply hope to rise to the top of the rankings just because they beat Australia even if the latter is the number one side in the world.
Only thirteen points separate the southern hemisphere rivals. But in Ponting’s opinion, Australia should be ruling the roost even if South Africa were to beat them at home this month or next year when they host the champions. Six Tests but Australia is hoping, rather Ponting is hoping, little will change their status. Don’t hold on so tight, Ponting would be well advised. Let the performance say it all.
Graeme Pollock Believes SA Can Prevail over Ailing Australia
