Thaindian News

Melbourne, Dec 30 (ANI): Ricky Ponting is hindering the renewal of the Australian team after a humiliating loss in the Ashes series by not giving up his skipper’s job, according to cricket legend Ian Chappell.

Ponting vowed to help rebuild the national team after it became the first to suffer two defeats by an innings in a home series and allowed England to retain the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years.

However, former Test captain Chappell is adamant Ponting should step down after the World Cup, which starts in February on the subcontinent.

He said a new leader, such as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin or vice-captain Michael Clarke, should shape a team for the challenges ahead, starting with the August Test tour of Sri Lanka, The Herald Sun reports.

“I always thought this was the right time for Ponting to finish as Test captain because you do have a use-by date. Ricky has reached that point. He captains the World Cup and then whether he decides to stay on as a player is entirely up to him,” said Chappell.

“As far as I am concerned, come August when you have a Test series you look at a new captain and a newish team. It has to be a new captain, a new team - it has to be his team,” he added.

Ponting, 36, wants to continue as Australia’s skipper claiming that after 77 matches in charge he is best qualified to steer an inexperienced side back to cricketing respectability.

Although he has averaged only 16 with the bat this Ashes series, Ponting pointed to his experience in 15-year, 152-Test career and his substantial role in Australia’s golden era as superior to any potential replacement. (ANI)