Ricky Ponting's dark cloud of being axed from the Australian one-day side contains a silver lining which he says could complete his cricket resume.
Ponting's limited overs omission has gifted the ruthless run-scorer a chance to win a coveted Sheffield Shield for his native Tasmania.
And the former Australian captain isn't going to waste the opportunity, evidenced by his sterling century against South Australia on Friday.
Ponting's 130 helped Tasmania to a whopping 273-run lead on the first innings over the Redbacks, who were 0-103 in their second dig at stumps on day three at Adelaide Oval.
And more importantly, Ponting's ton put the Tigers in contention for the Shield final later this month - ironically to be played as Australia's one-day squad tour the West Indies.
Tasmania's first innings domination of SA lifted them to 30 points on the Shield ladder - equal second with Queensland and just two points shy of leaders Western Australia.
Had Ponting not been dropped by national selectors, he would have missed a chance to fulfill a lifelong ambition of winning a Shield for his beloved Tasmania.
The Tigers have collected two Shields, in 2007/07 and 2010/11, and Ponting was on national duty both times.
"That is why this week is so important to me, to give ourselves a chance of making the Shield final," Ponting said.
"The whole group is striving towards that and I'm lucky enough to be one of the guys to slot back in and hopefully be a part of a successful Tasmanian cricket season again.
"It's one thing on my resume that I haven't achieved: winning a title for Tassie."
Ponting doubted his latest century would change the minds of national selectors who punted him from the one-day outfit.
"You can only listen to what they (selectors) said the other day, that is the door is never closed on anybody," Ponting said.
"I'm not sure I'll get picked again though, I'm 37 now, I'm not sure they will be turning back to me unless they have 10 injuries out of nowhere.
"And I'm fine with that, I can't complain about the run I have had."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport First posted March 02, 2012 19:49:40
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