If any one considered Michael Clarke’s growing image as a threat to the supremacy to the captaincy throne in Australia, the selectors have reposed faith in Ricky Ponting to take Australia to the 2011 World Cup.
Ricky Ponting was amongst the players such as Brett Lee, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson who were rested for the one day series against Pakistan in the UAE. However, while Michael Clarke has led Australia to a 3-2 victory in the series, the selectors have shut out doubts that there could be a threat to Ponting’s charge as captain.
Michael Clarke scored a hundred himself in the fourth ODI while Doug Bollinger picked up a five-fer in the same match to seal Pakistan fate in the series. But Pakistan would have only themselves to blame for their misfortunes as they let a near certain victory slip through their fingers in the third match of the series, losing too many wickets when victory was theirs for the taking. Pakistan though came back in the series on the back of a Kamran Akmal century that thwarted Australia’s own Shane Watson who made a century himself in Australia’s target of 250.
However, despite Clarke’s growing stature in recent times as the heir apparent to the captaincy, Ricky Ponting continues to be the firm leader in the eyes of the selectors who believe they are not over shooting by continuing the line of thinking to have a single captain for all formats and Ponting in the lead to take Australia to crowning success in the 2011 World Cup.
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Aus Pak ODI 1: Pakistan give Australia an ‘Afridi’ Shock
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UAE Pitches: Coach, Captain Differ in Perspectives
UAE Face Off: Younis Khan Misses Ricky Ponting
How Pakistan lost their World Cup hosting rights
India Overtake Australia For Second Spot in ICC ODI Ranking
Waqar Doubtful of ICL Pakistan Players’ Commitment
Younis Khan is Pakistan Skipper, Mallik dismissed
OZ: National Selections means IPL’s Economical Blues
Australia name Lee, Symonds And Watson in Squad for Pak series
Aus To Play Pakistan But in UAE
Symonds: Getting into Hot Water for Cooling off!
Lee Set to Resume Duty after Split with Wife Liz
Part Deux: Pampered and Spoilt: When Cricketers Become Politicians and Celebrities
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Australia Fighting Personal Battles
Brett Lee Pulls out of Bangladesh Series; Split with wife Liz cited
The Many Shades of the Australian Skipper: Ponting in Pictures!
Brett Lee’s Infidelity Woes, Indifference, and Now Injury
Clarke Puzzled by Ponting’s Decision
No Cheer in This Dressing Room
