No regrets about standing down: Ponting
December 7th, 2011 - 3:52 pm ICT by IANSHobart, Dec 7 (IANS) Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting Wednesday said he has not regrets about standing down for Michael Clarke.
Ponting feels his decision to step down as Australian captain after the World Cup has ensured Clarke will be ready to lead the side in big series like the one against India beginning Boxing Day.
“I don’t have any regrets about standing down. I did it because I thought it was the right time and I did it to try and make myself back into the player that I wanted to be. It gave the incoming captain a lot of time to get experience and knowledge under his belt for the next really big series that we play,” Ponting told reporters here ahead of the second Test against New Zealand that starts here Friday.
“Michael’s probably got seven Tests under his belt before a big series so that’s good experience for him. He’ll be a very experienced captain by the time the big tournaments come around,” he said.
The 36-year-old said he doesn’t feel awkward in the young Australian side.
“It’s actually a bit of a load off my plate just to be an everyday player again,” he said.
Ponting decision to step-down after the quarterfinal loss to India in the World Cup and the Ashes debacle was among the first in a major shake-up of Australian cricket.
“The whole set-up, I think, right at the moment just has a lot more professional feel about it around the team,” said Ponting, who has played 157 Tests. “We’re making sure that nothing’s slipping through the cracks whatsoever.”
The Tasmanian said he can bat any where in the batting order. He is ready to move back to his usual No.3 spot if out-of-sorts opener Phil Hughes is dropped and Usman Khawaja moved up a spot.
“I’ll bat wherever the captain wants me to bat,” Ponting said. “If that’s the best balance for the team then, absolutely, I’ll go back into that position.”
Ponting, however, backed Hughes to bounce in the series having scored 10 and seven in the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba.
“I think long-term he’s someone who’s going to play a lot of cricket for Australia,” Ponting said.
- Ex-Oz captains praise Ponting's move to play and help Clarke - Mar 30, 2011
- Clarke feels Ponting is victim of own high standards - Apr 21, 2012
- Clarke backs out-of-form trio - Nov 23, 2011
- Clarke will also turn out to be champion leader: Rixon - Aug 20, 2011
- India's best chance of a series win in Australia (Preview) - Dec 25, 2011
- Ponting, Hussey to play against India on Boxing Day, says Arthur - Dec 13, 2011
- Conditions in Adelaide will suit Indians better: Clarke - Jan 23, 2012
- Ponting quits as captain, wants Clarke to succeed him - Mar 29, 2011
- Bellerive Oval doesn't seem to miss Ponting - Feb 24, 2012
- Merv Hughes backs Clarke's appointment as stand-in captain for Sydney Test - Dec 31, 2010
- Ponting wants to carry on even after India series - Dec 28, 2011
- Sans Zaheer, India's bowling attack will be in trouble: Clarke - Dec 23, 2011
- Clarke is finished unless he changes his footwork: Kim Hughes - Jan 11, 2011
- Preparation for Test series against India will be ideal: Ponting - Dec 17, 2011
- Clarke fit to play, Bollinger out of Ashes opener against England - Nov 24, 2010
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