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Sydney, Mar. 30 (ANI): Ponting’s decision to resign as captain but continue to make himself available for selection as a batsman is unconventional in Australian cricket, but former skipper Kim Hughes believes his decision to offer himself for selection is a positive for the team as it goes forward after being ousted from the World Cup.

Hughes does not believe Ponting’s decision to keep playing Tests and ODIs will make things awkward for Clarke.

‘That is a myth,’ Hughes said of the potential for an uncomfortable transition.

‘It was impossible for me to work with Greg Chappell because he would captain for three [games] and then I would captain for three and that was not fair on anybody, especially for me or the players,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hughes, as saying.

“Michael and Ricky go back a fair way and Michael will know that Ricky Ponting doesn’t want to be captain again; Ricky becomes a senior player and I wouldn’t be surprised if he seeks his advice along with the vice-captain (Shane Watson),” Hughes said.

‘I think it is tremendous that he wants to be there, a credit to him and his commitment to Michael Clarke and the Australian side. I think he feels deep down that if he left now he would leave Michael Clarke with a pretty average side,” Hughes added.”So, it shows the commitment he has to help Michael get through. What Michael Clarke needs is to score some runs … I think [Ponting] has some unfinished business, he wants to go out on a higher note,’ Hughes added.

Former captain Allan Border believes Ponting’s decision to bat on will help ease the transition as new players come into the team.

‘In my mind he is still our best player and as such I believe he deserves to be picked,’ Border said on Fox Sports.

‘Yes, you have to keep an eye on the future and all that, but the burden of the captaincy in recent times may have been weighing heavily on his mind and giving away the captaincy might just free him up to play some of his best cricket over the next couple of years. He can be a fantastic mentor … and allow the new captain a bit more freedom to concentrate on his own game,’ Border added.

Graham Yallop, who captained a weak Australian team during World Series Cricket, said: “Ponting’s desire to play on at the top level is a great credit to him because he doesn’t have to, and he can assist Australian cricket for another two or three years.’ (ANI)