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Sydney, Sep 29 (ANI): Disputing former captain Mark Taylor’s view that Ricky Ponting’s career was on the downslide, vice-captain Michael Clarke has said that the Australian captain is about to enjoy the most fruitful 12 months of his career.

Taylor had said that Ponting is aware that he needs to score more consistently than over the past two years if his team wants to win cricket’s three most prized trophies. His average has been around 40, as opposed to a career record comfortably above 50, a decline the Australian team can ill-afford.

“Personally Ricky looks as fit as I’ve ever seen him, since I’ve played cricket with him. He’s training as hard as ever, and I do believe, I think the next six, eight, 12 months will be as big as you’ve seen from Ricky Ponting,” Clarke said.

“He’s keen as mustard to do well, he’s really looking forward to the start of this tour, he’s enjoying so much youth being around the squad and Ricky’s played over 150 Test matches with so much experience and knowledge,” he said.

“I think he’s really enjoying helping the younger players, and yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if this is Ricky’s best 12 months of his career,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

Taylor had also claimed the captaincy was harming Ponting’s chances of threatening Tendulkar’s Test run tally and world-record 48 centuries as of now.

But Clarke argued that Ponting could not be leading the team any better than he has been, as the job became far more difficult without the greats he inherited from his predecessor Steve Waugh.

“I think the effect Ricky has on the team is unbelievable already, before he walks out to bat, I think as a leader and the way he takes responsibility. I guess the way he leads by example on and off the field is a huge thing and a big part of being a leader, and he’s done it for such a long time,” said Clarke. (ANI)