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Sydney, Jan 2(ANI): Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s plans of extending his leadership to the 2013 Ashes series is unrealistic, according to former legend Ian Chappell.

“Like a politician intoxicated by power, Ponting has talked about extending his leadership maybe as far as the 2013 Ashes series. This is unrealistic, as captains have a use-by date,” Chappell wrote in an article for the Sunday Telegraph.

“Their power to inspire wanes as the personnel changes and new ideas are required. A fresh side requires a younger captain; it needs to be his team.”

“Also, the future captain needs to be installed at a time that’s right for his career, rather than at the whim of the incumbent,” he added.

Chappell also reckons that it was only Ponting’s prodigious skill with the bat that kept the great Australian slide at bay for so long.

“Following the retirement of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, the Australian bowling regressed from difficult to overcome to beatable. It was Ponting’s ability to make decisive runs that helped Australia amass substantial totals, which in turn enabled the weakened bowling attack to still win matches,” Chappell wrote.

“When Ponting’s bat failed him the awful truth was exposed. The Australian batting was fragile without him dominating at three and the bowling was extremely inconsistent. In the end, the team-mates he’d protected weren’t able to cover his back when he needed their help,” he added.

Ponting is in the middle of one of the worst form slumps of his career, as his tally in the Ashes series so far is a paltry 113 at an average of 16.14.

The 36-year-old has passed 50 just once in the second innings of the Brisbane Test on a wicket that was tailor-made for batting.

Australia currently trails the five-match Ashes series 2-1, with the final Test to be played in Sydney from January 3. (ANI)