Ponting urges Aussies to rise to occasion

Updated November 06, 2012 20:50:13

Veteran batsman Ricky Ponting wants Australia to embrace the challenge of taking on South Africa this summer, saying the home side is within touching distance of the world's best team.

The Proteas head into the first Test starting on Friday at the Gabba as the number one-ranked Test side, boasting a settled line-up that oozes quality.

An experienced and proven batting line-up featuring captain Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis is combined with world-class pace bowling trio of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander to make South Africa's team one of the best sides to tour Australia in several summers.

But Ponting believes his team-mates should not forget it was largely that same line-up they defeated in Johannesburg just 12 months ago to secure a share of the spoils in their two-Test series in South Africa last summer.

"It's really important for us as a group to realise just how close we are to them as a team," Ponting told reporters on Tuesday.

"They're the number one-ranked team in the world, and deservedly so, but we're breathing down their necks."

Ponting says South Africa is cricket's benchmark and, just like in Australia's time as the world's top team, the Proteas should be a scalp everyone wants to acquire.

The 37-year-old got used to teams doing all they could to beat Australia during his captaincy and he expects the same approach to be taken against the Proteas.

"I know whenever we were the number one team in the world it just meant every time the opposition played you they wanted to knock you off, they wanted to see where they were at compared to you," he said.

"We're really excited about that and looking forward to that challenge. I know if we play our best, we'll give them a hell of a scare that's for sure."

Ponting came through Tuesday's first training run at the Gabba unscathed and believes his hamstring injury will not prevent him taking to the field on Friday.

Victorian Rob Quiney faced a testing session in the nets against pacemen James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle.

The pace barrage was obvious preparation for the 30-year-old's likely baptism of fire against Steyn, Morkel and Philander in his debut Test but captain Michael Clarke said Quiney could nail down a Test spot if he does well.

Clarke said it was far from certain all-rounder Shane Watson would be automatically recalled after his calf injury clears up if the current players do the job in Brisbane.

"It is about performance, about making the most of your opportunity, and then it is about selecting the best 11 players," he said.

"As I have said throughout my career, a winning team is hard to change.

"If we perform well it is something we will need to assess."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia, south-africa

First posted November 06, 2012 20:48:12

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Ponting retires from Test cricket

Updated November 30, 2012 09:26:25

Ricky Ponting will retire from Test cricket after the third Test against South Africa in Perth.

The former Australian captain has played 167 Tests and scored 13,366 Test runs.

After being made Australian captain in 2004, Ponting went on to become one of the country's greatest batsmen.

But pressure had mounted on him after scoring a combined total of just 20 runs in his past three innings against South Africa.

Ponting said it was towards the end of the Adelaide Test that he discussed retirement with his wife Rianna.

"It's a decision that I thought long and hard about, but at the end of the day it was about my results and my output in this series so far," he told reporters in Perth. 

"It hasn't been what I expect from myself and it certainly hasn't been to the level that I feel is required for batsmen and players in the Australian team.

"Over the last couple of weeks my level of performance hasn't been good enough.

"In my eyes I have been consistently failing, so I knew it was time."

Ponting informed his team-mates this morning and said he found he was overcome by emotion when trying to explain his decision.

"I struggled to get much out today," he said, adding that he will continue to play for Tasmania in the domestic competition and in the Big Bash for the Hobart Hurricanes.

With Australia capable of overtaking South Africa as number one Test nation with victory in Perth, Ponting said it was the perfect time to end his career.

"I am hungrier than ever," he said.

"I want this win more than any other game we have played in.

"To beat South Africa and become number one in the world, there is no better time for me to finish my career."

Ponting, 37, will equal the record of 168 Test matches set by Steve Waugh with his final appearance.

He pointed out that Perth was an appropriate place to end his Test career as it was where it started 17 years ago against Sri Lanka.

Despite all of his success for Australia, Ponting has had his share of setbacks.

Earlier in his career, he was stood down for three matches during the 1998-99 one-day series after he was involved in a fight outside a Kings Cross hotel in Sydney.

Ponting became the first Australian captain to lose three Ashes series, and on the back of the 3-1 home series loss to England in 2010-11 pressure was on him to step down as captain.

He did just that after Australia was knocked out in the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup in India, resigning as Test and one-day captain.

Ponting endorsed Michael Clarke as his successor and signalled his intention to keep playing.

He played his last one-day match for Australia in February against India in Brisbane before being dropped by Australian selectors.

Today, Clarke found it difficult to hold back tears when he talked about his friend and former mentor.

"The boys are hurting at the moment," Clarke told reporters.

"He's been an amazing player over a long period of time.

"But it makes this game even more special. It's already been such a great series against South Africa."

Clarke later told Grandstand that it was going to be tough to go into a Test match without Ponting.

"What a player he's been. He's been a great ambassador for the sport," he said.

"Not just for Australia but around the world. I'd love nothing more than to win this Test match, get back to being number one and Ricky to get a big hundred. What a way for him to go out."

In team news, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus have been left out of the squad to take on the Proteas.

Australia will announce its final 11 tomorrow morning.

Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Wally Edwards said Ponting's decision to announce his retirement was typical of the way he had approached cricket.

"Ricky is always uncompromisingly straightforward and leads from the front," Edwards said.

"He has made a decision that he believes is best for him, his family and his team.

"I congratulate him for his outstanding achievements as a batsman, captain, and, after he stood down as captain, leader by example."

CA chief executive James Sutherland says Ponting's talent and leadership will be sorely missed.

"Undoubtedly one of the greatest ever Australian cricketers and certainly a brilliant batsman, a record that speaks for itself, and an absolutely brilliant fieldsman as well," he said.

"He was a tremendous leader, led Australian cricket to many, many victories, and certainly a couple of World Cups come very quickly to mind."

Prime Minister Julia Gillard paid tribute to Ponting in Federal Parliament.

"He will go into the next phase of his life with a lot of gratitude and a lot of thanks from the Australian community, full as it is of cricket tragics," she said.

"It means that people are going to miss watching his performances, but we do wish him well for whatever the future brings."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also congratulated Ponting on a superb career.

"I rise to join the Prime Minister in congratulating Ricky Ponting as an Australian cricket captain, as someone who has given tremendous pleasure to cricket lovers around the world," he said.

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First posted November 29, 2012 14:40:35

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Cowan, Ponting fail in Test warm-up

Updated November 01, 2012 22:13:16

Test opener Ed Cowan's lean Sheffield Shield season has continued after he was bowled for just 6 in the first innings of Tasmania's clash with South Australia at Bellerive.

In his final hit-out before the crucial series against world number one side South Africa beginning next week, Cowan played on to Redbacks paceman Daniel Worall late on a rain-delayed day one.

The left-hander is yet to pass 50 in six Shield innings this season, with a top score of 42, but did make 74 in the Tigers' one-day loss to Victoria last weekend.

The pressure is mounting from in-form ex-Australian opener Phil Hughes, who has been plundering runs in both tournaments, even before Cowan plays his first Test of the season.

Ricky Ponting's Test preparation also did not last long when he was caught behind for just 5, although he stood his ground at a decision he clearly did not like.

At stumps, the Tigers were 3 for 63 after scuttling struggling South Australia for just 112 with left-arm quick James Faulkner bagging a superb 5 for 23.

Skipper George Bailey (24 not out) and Aiden Blizzard (17 not out) were at the crease at the close, while opener Mark Cosgrove made a duck.

Earlier, Test paceman Ben Hilfenhaus bowled 13 overs and took 2 for 25 in his first red-ball game in six months.

The Tasmanian quick snared Redbacks opener Sam Raphael (22) and key man Callum Ferguson (5) as South Australia collapsed from a decent 1 for 51 after the visitors were sent in in tough conditions.

Faulkner bagged his third Shield five-wicket haul, while Hilfenhaus, Luke Butterworth (2 for 14) and an out-of-sorts Jackson Bird (1 for 46) leant support.

A collapse looked on the cards when the left-armer grabbed two scalps in the 26th over, leaving the visitors 4 for 51.

He later grabbed the key wicket of Dan Christian, trapping him lbw for 8, for South Australia to find itself 6 for 68.

"We've had a massive focus with our bowling group to bowl in partnerships so there's going to be days when players take a bag of wickets and there's going to be days when you bowl really well and don't take any," Faulkner said.

"I was just lucky that it was my turn today."

In a telling sign for the struggling Redbacks, it was left to the debuting Raphael to equal top score with skipper Johan Botha.

"He showed all of us how you can play on that wicket, that it is possible, but you just have to hang in there," Botha said.

Conditions did not help the visitors, who were sent in by Tigers skipper George Bailey, with the morning session lost to persistent drizzle and the temperature in Hobart hovering below 10 degrees Celcius.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted November 01, 2012 19:48:13

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Ponting perfectly placed for Proteas

Updated October 11, 2012 14:49:06

Australia's greatest Test run-scorer says he is refreshed mentally and physically primed for the Test series against world number one South Africa starting next month.

Ricky Ponting did not pick up a bat for almost four months following his last Test, in the West Indies last April.

The 37-year-old then underwent a gruelling training regime to prepare for the three-Test series against the Proteas.

"You're not in the gym at 6am every morning in the middle of winter without a big clear picture in mind.

"And that to me was to be in the best physical shape and mental shape for the start of the season," said Ponting on Thursday, a day after hammering seven sixes in an unbeaten 85 in Tasmania's first innings against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

"I have got myself in a good state now, and feeling good about everything, so I am right where I want to be."

Ponting said it was "weird" having a winter off, given he's not in the national one-day or Twenty20 outfits.

"I made the most of the break for the first couple of months," he said.

"I gave my body and mind a bit of a rest because I bashed myself up pretty much during the summer last year.

"I trained incredibly hard to get my game back and finished off the season really well.

"So after the West Indies I had a couple of months off with nothing and then about 12 weeks where I just trained myself into the ground really, physically.

"I got myself in good physical shape. I'm a few kilos down again at the start of the season and feeling really good and feel like I'm moving really good."

Ponting said he knew what would be coming from the South Africans.

"They're the number one team in the world and they are that for a reason," he said.

"They have got probably the best fast bowling attack going around ... they bat really low as well ... they're an exceptionally well-balanced side.

"But saying that, we have had some great contests against them since I have been playing for Australia.

"They have never really dominated us and the series have been great contests.

"We know that if we do everything as well as we can in Australia this year, they will find it hard to beat us."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia, south-africa

First posted October 11, 2012 14:36:28

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Ponting, Cowan fail against Blues

Updated September 27, 2012 18:03:53

Test batsmen Ricky Ponting and Ed Cowan both missed out in their first domestic innings of the season, against a New South Wales team inspired by a career-best effort from Moises Henriques.

Henriques blasted an unbeaten 161 against Tasmania, as the Blues recovered from a sickly 3 for 7 to post 442 in the Sheffield Shield match at Bankstown Oval.

Cowan (17) and Ponting (9) perished quickly, as the Tigers reached 3 for 111 when bad light ended play on day two around 40 minutes early.

Mark Cosgrove (73 not out) headed the Tigers' chase, striking several powerful boundaries.

Fellow opener Cowan, who appeared for Australia A and English county Gloucestershire during the off-season, looked set before leaving a ball from Trent Copeland (1 for 28) that crashed into his stumps.

Ponting received a warm welcome from the home spectators after Alex Doolan (5), was caught in the slips by Steve Smith off Doug Bollinger (1 for 26).

The former Test skipper faced 12 balls and struck a couple of sublime boundaries through cover and mid-on before playing around a delivery from Josh Hazlewood (1 for 36).

Ponting, whose last innings was in the third Test against West Indies five months ago, should get another three first-class hit-outs with the Tigers before the opening Test against South Africa in November.

The Blues were dismissed shortly after lunch, but not before Henriques and Copeland (55) each recorded highest first-class scores.

Their 124-run union represented the Blues' highest Sheffield Shield eighth-wicket stand against the Tigers.

They batted through the entire morning session, but the Blues innings closed when they lost 3 for 17 from the time of Copeland's dismissal.

Henriques, who had made nine first-class half-centuries, almost doubled his previous best first-class score of 82, made for Australia A against Pakistan A in Townsville in 2009.

The Australia one-day and Twenty20 representative smashed 15 fours and four sixes in his impressive 229-ball innings.

Copeland notched his second first-class half century, eclipsing his previous best of 53 against Queensland at Blacktown in the 2010/11 season.

Six bowlers claimed wickets for the Tigers, but only former Bankstown and Blues second XI paceman Jackson Bird (3 for 75) took more than one dismissal.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, bankstown-2200, hobart-7000

First posted September 27, 2012 18:03:53

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Arthur backs Ponting for one more Ashes

Updated May 01, 2012 16:28:09

Australian coach Mickey Arthur says Ricky Ponting is a wanted man for next year's Ashes series in England.

With Australia not playing another Test until the home series against South Africa in November/December, Ponting's future in the side was thought to be in some doubt.

The 37-year-old was axed from Australia's one-day squad earlier this year, leaving him with just Test cricket on his international calendar.

But Arthur says he has no concerns about Ponting losing his touch with the bat, and is backing the former skipper to play a key role in Australia's quest to regain the Ashes.

"I know there was a lot of media pressure and talk around Ricky, but Ricky's not going anywhere," Arthur said after arriving back in Perth following Australia's 2-0 Test series win against the West Indies.

"We hope Ricky's scoring enough runs to go to the Ashes in England.

"Ricky is definitely [in] no way considering retiring, I wouldn't have thought from my conversations with him, and he'll be fit and ready to go against South Africa."

Ponting, like most of Australia's batting line-up, struggled on the Windies tour.

The 165-Test veteran posted just 146 runs over three Tests at an average of 24.33, but Arthur said the tough conditions and some unlucky circumstances played a significant role in Ponting's lean return.

AAP

Tags: ashes, cricket, sport, australia

First posted May 01, 2012 16:28:09

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Ponting rejects county stint

Updated March 23, 2012 17:17:05

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will not play English county cricket in 2012.

Rumours had emerged that the 37-year-old Ponting was considering a move to Somerset this year but his manager James Henderson has rejected the reports.

"Ricky is not turning his back on playing county cricket in the future but the 2012 season does not line up with his current priorities," Henderson said.

"He will not be playing cricket from after the West Indies tour through until the start of the Sheffield Shield season.

"He will use the down time to spend more time with his family and refresh after a hectic past nine months."

Ponting briefly played with Somerset in 2004.

Tags: cricket, sport, australia, united-kingdom, england

First posted March 23, 2012 17:17:05

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Warner needs to keep head clear: Ponting

Updated February 18, 2012 16:37:53

Australia captain Ricky Ponting says opener David Warner needs to keep things simple if he wants to turn around his disappointing one-day international form.

While Warner is an established member of Australia's Twenty20 squad and has made a bright start to his Test career, the 25-year-old is yet to fully showcase his talents in 50-over cricket for his country.

In 14 ODIs Warner averages just 20.07 with a highest score of 74 and only two 50s.

His struggles in ODIs have continued this summer, scoring 71 runs in four innings of the triangular series at just 17.75.

But Ponting says just like another explosive left-handed opening batsman, former star Adam Gilchrist, Warner must not start thinking too much about his technique and should just back his natural game.

"He probably hasn't got the results that he'd want in one-day cricket in his relatively short career so far but the one thing players like David can't afford to do is second-guess themselves," he said.

"Gilly was exactly the same. They're hand-eye players and they've got to see the ball, hit the ball and not really think too much about it.

"Sometimes it's the stuff between your ears that gets a little bit clouded and that makes playing your natural game a little bit hard. I think that's probably what Dave's going through right at the moment."

Keeping Warner's mind clear was part of the reason the vice-captain was overlooked earlier this week for the skipper's job in favour of Ponting with Michael Clarke injured.

And coach Mickey Arthur says that was the right call.

"We brought Dave into the vice-captaincy position to learn to be part of our leadership group and to learn from Michael and I when we strategise our position," he said.

"In terms of taking guys on the field right now, he's not ready for that yet and he understands that."

AAP

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First posted February 18, 2012 16:37:53

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Tigers name Ponting in one-day final squad

Updated February 22, 2012 17:55:10

Ricky Ponting has been named in a 13-man squad for Tasmania's one-day final against South Australia at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

The Tigers are yet to decide who will make way for Ponting, who was dropped from Australia's one-day squad on Monday.

"Ricky Ponting's inclusion injects world-class qualities into our team and we know that he is very excited at the prospect of playing in this final for Tasmania," Tigers chairman of selectors Michael Farrell said.

"The Tigers will take good form into the match as well as plenty of big game experience.

"The team has shown a great ability to play well under pressure throughout the season and have prepared well for the final."

His inclusion means Tasmania could field four batsmen who have represented Australia in Ed Cowan, skipper George Bailey, Mark Cosgrove and the former international skipper.

With short-form specialist opener Jon Wells also in the side, Tasmania certainly has the firepower to deny South Australia an end to its 25-year wait for a one-day cup final victory.

In contrast, Saturday's final will be the Tigers' third in the past three seasons. They won the tournament in 2004/05, 2007/08 and 2009/10.

Tasmania (from): George Bailey (captain), Jackson Bird, Luke Butterworth, Mark Cosgrove, Ed Cowan, James Faulkner, Matt Johnston, Brady Jones, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Ashton May, Ricky Ponting, Jon Wells (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named)

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First posted February 22, 2012 17:53:43

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Ponting nears ton for Tassie

Updated March 02, 2012 08:10:22

A stylish Ricky Ponting neared a century and helped Tasmania bank vital innings points against hapless South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

Ponting compiled an unbeaten 91 and his captain George Bailey made 65 as the Tigers took a 73-run lead by the close of Thursday's second day.

After bowling the Redbacks out for just 126, Ponting steered his state to commanding 3 for 199 at stumps - all after the opening day was washed out.

The last-placed Redbacks crashed spectacularly with the bat, their last seven wickets falling for just 15 runs.

Opener Tom Stray (51) posted his maiden first-class half-century but none of the last eight Redback batsmen passed seven runs.

Tigers paceman James Faulkner (4 for 22) and Jackson Bird (4 for 48) were the destroyers after South Australia won the toss.

The Redbacks were skittled in less than 50 overs, with only captain Michael Klinger (25) and teenager Travis Head (21) joining Stray with double-figure scores.

Tasmania, which entered the fixture in third-place on the Shield table, wasted little time in making ground on competition leaders Western Australia.

The Tigers now have 30 points, equal with second-placed Queensland - both states just two points behind WA.

Ponting was supreme after Test opener Ed Cowan (11) and Alex Doolan (14) fell cheaply and Mark Cosgrove retired hurt on 13 when struck on the left hand by a Gary Putland bouncer.

The former Australian captain and Bailey combined in a 142-run partnership for the third wicket against the demoralised South Australians.

The pair ensured Tasmania collected first innings points within 30 overs on a day's play extended by an hour to compensate for Wednesday's wash-out.

Ponting, in his first Shield game since October last year, hammered the hosts with a blend of trademark back foot strokes, powerful drives and deft placement.

Ponting was within sight of his 76th first-class century at stumps, having struck nine fours and six from his 114 balls faced.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia, tas

First posted March 01, 2012 23:58:43

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I'm not finished yet, says Ponting

Updated January 25, 2012 07:37:04

Ricky Ponting hit his second century in three matches and became the third batsman to score 13,000 Test runs before laughing off suggestions he might be about to retire.

The 37-year-old was unbeaten on 137 at the close on the first day of the fourth Test against India having rescued Australia's innings with a stand of 251 for the fourth wicket with his successor as captain Michael Clarke.

His effusive celebration of the century sparked conjecture that he might be about to retire, but the gritty Tasmanian dismissed the idea with a wry smile.

"How did I know I'd come here and get asked questions about retirement?" he said at a news conference.

"It was a celebration mate, I usually do a similar celebration when I score a Test match hundred.

"I won't be retiring at the end of this Test match."

Ponting has revived his career in the India series, scoring his first century in two years in the second Test in Sydney, where he shared a 288-run stand with Clarke, before his more fluent effort at the Adelaide Oval.

"I felt I played better today than I did in Sydney, it was probably a better wicket to bat on today, there wasn't much in it for any of the Indian bowlers," he said.

"It's Michael and my responsibility to make sure we start well tomorrow and see where that takes us.

"But I'm not going to be satisfied with where I am at. You go through too many ups and downs in your career to let moments like this slip."

Ponting's century was his fourth in four Test matches against India at Adelaide, including a 242 in a losing cause in 2003.

Before notching up his 41st Test century - the former Australian captain who made his debut against Sri Lanka at Perth in 1995 - hit his 13,000th run.

The only two men to have scored more Test runs than Ponting, India's Sachin Tendulkar (15,432) and Rahul Dravid (13,262), were both fielding on Tuesday.

Despite his long career, Ponting said he was as motivated - and as nervous - as he had always been.

"It's never been about making 13,000 runs or 14,000 runs," he said.

"It's about doing what I can when it's required of me to get my team through a certain situation in a game. That's what motivates me.

"Winning Test matches and winning games of cricket for Australia is what motivates me to keep playing.

"I still get nervous before every innings. If the day comes when I'm sitting in the dressing room and haven't got sweaty palms, it probably means that it doesn't mean enough to me."

Australia resumes at 3 for 335 on Wednesday's second day in Adelaide and Ponting warned Australia would need to tread a fine line between batting India out of the fourth Test and killing the match.

Ponting said he and Clarke would seek to build their unbroken 251-run partnership, but they would have to balance the run scoring with a desire to push for victory on a batter-friendly Adelaide Oval pitch.

"You have to be careful not to bat too long. It will be a tough wicket to take 20 wickets if you want to win this game," he said.

"We need to make sure we're not killing too much time. We'll be nice and positive, hopefully we'll score our runs in a reasonable slick and see how we go."

Reuters/AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted January 25, 2012 07:28:35

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Lyon turns to Ponting for advice

Updated January 22, 2012 08:01:13

Nathan Lyon might be trying to put all his eggs in one basket by admitting he does not have a huge variety of deliveries in his arsenal for this week's fourth Test against India.

"I'm just trying to keep executing my stock ball to the best of my ability," Australia's offspinner said on Saturday as Australia resumed in the Adelaide Oval nets.

Michael Clarke's men will train again on Sunday and Monday as they seek to claim a 4-0 sweep against world number two India.

After a combined tally of 2 for 180 from the first two Tests, Lyon was dropped for the third Test in Perth as the home side chose a four-man pace attack.

Lyon's bowling average of 24.59 after seven Tests has ballooned to 30.04 after nine.

It is still a good record but a series against India is a landmark for any spinner.

Former Adelaide Oval groundsman Lyon is not just relying on local knowledge to have an impact in his first home Test.

The 24-year-old says he has been working intensely with veteran batsman and ex-skipper Ricky Ponting.

"Of course changes of pace and natural variation all come into it," Lyon said.

"But I've been working hard with Ricky Ponting especially on my bowling in the nets and bowling to him, because I find him one of the best bats to bowl to in the nets.

"A couple of days off there missing out on the Test in Perth was a great opportunity for me to work on my bowling, batting and fielding.

"I used all that time possible that I could use to make myself a better player."

He says bowling against Test cricket's leading runscorer Sachin Tendulkar was a dream opportunity.

"India's a great side to play against. Even though we're up three-nil, we're expecting India to come out and hit us hard," Lyon said.

"They have just been a great challenge for myself, being a young spinner and bowling against the best batters against spin."

Lyon allowed himself a brief moment of nostalgia regarding his roots.

"It has been a great journey. I've loved every moment of it, working here at Adelaide Oval," he said.

"Adelaide's the best ground in the world in my book. I definitely feel comfortable out there.

"The pitch is only going to get lower and slower so hopefully it has a little bit more turn out there for me."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia, india

First posted January 22, 2012 08:01:13

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Ponting goes back to basics for ton

Updated January 05, 2012 09:27:12

Ricky Ponting admits he had to go back to basics to rediscover his talents with the bat and keep his Test career alive.

Ponting smashed 134 as part of Australia's sheer dominance at the SCG on Wednesday, which has the home side 4 for 482 leading into day three of the second Test against India on Thursday.

His record 288-run stand with Michael Clarke (251 not out) was the highlight on a one-sided day two where Australia lost just one wicket and built a considerable 291-run first innings lead over India's 191.

Former skipper Ponting, who is one of only four players in history to be part of the 12,000 Test runs club, said he needed to rebuild his technique from the ground up after going two years without scoring a century.

Ponting was under the microscope and critics were after his head.

The other four players to have passed 12,000 career runs - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis - had all scored at least eight centuries each in the time since Ponting's last, against Pakistan in January 2010.

For the first time, Ponting's technique was being properly exposed and he was particularly vulnerable playing off his pads - a pillar of strength for him through the golden years.

The 37-year-old Tasmanian said the road has been long, but he knew the rewards would eventually come.

"I've had to work exceptionally hard, harder than ever on certain technical aspects of my game, there's no doubt about that," he said.

"The thing that's starting to come back anyway is just getting that real rhythm back about my batting again and feeling at ease at the crease.

"When you're going through a lean trot it's amazing how many little things creep into your head and those things can sometimes take over and get in the way of what you're trying to do.

"I've had a really clear mind this week knowing that what I've been working on is starting to come good for me."

Clarke has already surpassed the highest score by an Australian at the SCG and fittingly in the 100th Test played at the venue, he is within reach of eclipsing the biggest individual total ever assembled in Sydney (287 set by England's Reginald Foster in 1903-04).

The skipper said it is too early to know where to rank the innings amongst his 18 Test centuries to date.

"I was really proud of the 150 I got against South Africa (in November), they were really tough circumstances and I thought that wicket did a lot more than this wicket did," said Clarke who is in the midst of a 157-run stand with Michael Hussey who will resume 55 not out.

"What makes me proud is that I batted the whole day, that's something I've always tried to do and I haven't done very often."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted January 05, 2012 07:08:07

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Ponting on verge of Test century: Clarke

Updated January 03, 2012 08:45:18

Australian captain Michael Clarke believes Ricky Ponting is on the verge of breaking a two-year century drought in the second Test against India at the SCG starting on Tuesday.

The former skipper has not reached triple figures since he smashed a double hundred against Pakistan in January of 2010.

Ponting has made some recent half-centuries which continue to prolong his famed Test career, but only a ton will properly silence his critics who say the 37-year-old has reached his expiry date.

The Tasmanian played some vintage shots in his back-to-back 62 and 60 in the first Test against India at the MCG, before falling.

Clarke says Ponting is close to breaking the shackles.

"I think the way Punter is batting at the moment, he's not far away from a big one, that's for sure," said Clarke.

"One thing I know about him is if he gets to 100 he won't be stopping there.

"He's got a very good record at the SCG. I know he loves playing here at this wicket so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he walked out and made a 100 in this Test match."

Clarke said he does not believe the toss will be important in Sydney, but indicated he would likely bowl first if he gets the chance.

The captain believes the track will take a bit of time to turn into a genuine batting wicket.

"There's a tinge of green there. It's a little bit tacky at the moment, I think it's going to be quite tough to bat on day one.

"I think it's going to be quite a similar wicket to what we faced against England last year. I think there's going to be a bit of sideways movement early and I think it's going to turn out to be a really good batting wicket."

Australia has named an unchanged line-up for Sydney from its first-up 122-run win in Melbourne's Boxing Day Test.

Ryan Harris was left out of the XI, with spinner Nathan Lyon expected to play an important role as the match wears on.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, india

First posted January 03, 2012 08:20:59

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Ponting and Hussey in for Boxing Day

Updated December 13, 2011 23:40:11

Australian coach Mickey Arthur has backed struggling senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey to retain their team places for the Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne.

Arthur said there were no plans to manage the Test exits of former skipper Ponting and Hussey after they both struggled for runs in Australia's humiliating seven-run loss to New Zealand in Hobart.

Ponting, whose 158 Tests have seen him become the third greatest Test runscorer, and Hussey are fighting for their spots, but Arthur said their experience was vital in the transitional Australian team.

"We are certainly not managing yet how they go out of the side and in my opinion they've still got big roles to play because we do need some experience within our middle order and they bring that experience that we need," he said.

"We haven't even come to any thought on how we manage any exit of any of those players. The key for us is to get them up firing for Australia come Boxing Day because they are key."

Grandstand's Jim Maxwell has joined calls for Ponting's head but Arthur backed Ponting, who turns 37 next week, to play in the showpiece Boxing Day Test against the second-ranked Indians.

"I think he should (play on Boxing Day)," he said.

"I've already had a chat with (selector) Rod Marsh and (captain) Michael Clarke and we're trying to give ourselves a bit of direction to Boxing Day.

"I think Ricky still fits firmly in that picture at the moment."

But the picture does not look bright for under-fire opening batsman Phillip Hughes, who dismissed behind the wicket by Kiwi seamer Chris Martin on every occasion during the series.

Clarke said that Hughes may have to return to state cricket to rediscover his touch after his latest failures and Arthur was unsure whether Hughes would remain in the Australian side for Boxing Day.

"By his own admission there is a bit of technical work that he needs to do but again a very good young cricketer," Arthur said.

"Whether that's enough for him to play on Boxing Day I'm not sure. That will be a discussion we will have in a couple of days' time."

Shaun Marsh is almost certain to be unavailable, but Arthur said injured all-rounder Shane Watson, who missed both Tests against New Zealand, would be assessed well before the MCG Test to "determine the balance of the team".

"We've got to come to a point now where we make a decision on where Shane's going to bat in the order and how many overs we expect from him so there can be no more debate around the issue," he said.

"We need to give him a clear role definition before the Boxing Day Test."

Watson (hamstring) will be summoned to Melbourne in the coming days to assess his fitness.

His likely return, the consideration of in-form Tasmanian opener Ed Cowan's credentials and Ponting and Hussey's retention may spell trouble for Usman Khawaja, who has notched just one half-century in six Tests, averaging 29.22.

"It's a bit early to speculate on a top seven," Arthur said.

Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was another feeling the heat after Australia's first Test loss to New Zealand since 1993.

Condemned for his rash dismissals in the Cape Town debacle against South Africa, Haddin was at it again in Hobart with two reckless shots in Australia's time of need.

A fit Tim Paine (finger) would apply enormous pressure on the 34-year-old.

But in the meantime it seems Australia is content to "take the good with the bad" with Haddin.

"I think in between that (Cape Town and Hobart) there was a match-winning innings in Johannesburg - you do take the good with the bad," Arthur said.

"I still think he is a hell of a player with a huge amount to offer."

But Arthur added: "One of the key words I used was resilient (after the Hobart defeat).

"I was a little bit disappointed how we folded."

Arthur said Australia's batsmen would be working hard to improve their techniques against the swinging ball after the defeat to New Zealand.

"The swinging ball again was something that exposed us a little bit and that's going to be top of the agenda to work on before the Boxing Day Test," he said.

"I think if we can get a couple of extra days into our batters, just sharpen them up and their techniques, I think that will be invaluable ahead of what is a massive series for Australia."

Fast bowler Ryan Harris (hip) is also expected to be fit for Boxing Day.

AFP/AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 13, 2011 18:28:17

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Ponting well aware of Test heat

Updated December 17, 2011 23:37:37

Besieged batsman Ricky Ponting concedes both he and fellow veteran Mike Hussey need to find runs quickly if they are to remain in Australia's Test batting line-up.

Ponting, who turns 37 on Monday, and 36-year-old Hussey are under intense pressure to retain their spots for the rest of the summer following worrying form slumps.

Ponting has gone almost two years without a Test century while Hussey returned averages of just 15 and 7.66 in recent series against South Africa and New Zealand.

For the moment, new coach Mickey Arthur is backing the pair to regain their magic touch, with Ponting and Hussey almost certain to be picked for the Boxing Day Test against India.

But Ponting is well aware their time in the baggy green will be cut short if they do not start pulling their weight quickly.

"With Huss and I both being guys that have been around a long time, and with the transitional phase the team's going through, I think it's important that guys like us are around," Ponting said.

"But at the same time we've got to be toeing the line and scoring runs consistently.

"Mike had done that up until the last couple of Tests, and I felt like I was getting back into a bit of rhythm before the Hobart game.

"We all know what our jobs are. As international sportsmen these days you have to be performing day in, day out and we've got that challenge ahead of us now."

Ponting will attempt to put his Test worries to the back of his mind on Sunday when he opens the batting for the Hobart Hurricanes in their Twenty20 Big Bash season-opener against Perth Scorchers at the WACA ground.

The former Test skipper said he was looking forward to lining up in the new competition, dismissing suggestions his one-off outing for the Hurricanes could hinder his preparation for the Test.

"I think as professional cricketers these days you are changing over from different formats of the game on pretty much a weekly or daily basis sometimes," Ponting said.

"So the adjustment shouldn't be too much of an issue.

"It's not my preparation for the Test. I'm here to win a game for the Hurricanes. My Test preparation starts after that (during next week's batting camp)."

The Scorchers hope their powerful batting unit will hit top gear, with home-grown products Hussey, Mitch Marsh, Marcus North and Simon Katich to be joined by internationals Paul Collingwood and Herschelle Gibbs.

Hobart boast Englishman Owais Shah and Pakistan quick Rana Naveed in their line-up, with spinner Xavier Doherty, paceman Ben Hilfenhaus and Ponting also adding starpower.

Perth Scorchers: Marcus North (c), Tom Beaton, Michael Beer, Paul Collingwood, Ben Edmondson, Herschelle Gibbs, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Simon Katich, Mitch Marsh, Nathan Rimmington, Luke Ronchi (12th man to be named).

Hobart Hurricanes: Xavier Doherty (c), Travis Birt, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phil Jaques, Matt Johnston, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Rhett Lockyear, Rana Naveed, Ricky Ponting, Owais Shah, Tom Triffitt (12th man to be named).

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, hobart-7000, tas, australia

First posted December 17, 2011 21:43:09

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Ponting open to return to three

Updated December 07, 2011 16:57:19

Ricky Ponting is ready to move back to number three in the Australian batting order if the side is reshuffled for the second Test against New Zealand in Hobart.

Former skipper Ponting, who held down the crucial position for most of his illustrious career before dropping to number four, could find himself back there if out-of-sorts opener Phil Hughes is dropped and Usman Khawaja moved up a spot to open.

"I'll bat wherever the captain wants me to bat," Ponting told reporters at Bellerive Oval.

"If that's the best balance for the team then, absolutely, I'll go back into that position."

The call-up of South Australian all-rounder Dan Christian to the squad has added plenty of intrigue about the make-up of the Australian XI for the Test beginning on Friday.

If Christian plays, he is likely to bat at six or seven, with Hughes the likely omission and Australia's other batsmen all moving up a rung.

Christian is widely considered a replacement for injured all-rounder Shane Watson, who opens the batting.

But speculation is rife Watson will drop down the order on his return to ease his workload.

"It's no surprise to me, with Watson being out of the side, that (Christian's) the next cab off the rank as far as all-rounders in Australia are concerned," Ponting said.

The 36-year-old Ponting is back in his home state after rediscovering some form with half-centuries in his previous two Tests, against South Africa in Johannesburg and the Black Caps in Brisbane.

"Just the hard work I've been doing is starting to pay off, which is nice," he said.

"I felt nice and comfortable at the crease through that innings in Brisbane and obviously disappointed with myself not to go on and make a hundred that I've been striving for for a long time.

"I know that if I keep doing the things that I'm doing ... hopefully that big score's not too far away."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, hobart-7000, tas, australia

First posted December 07, 2011 16:09:52

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Ponting eyes end to century drought

Updated December 03, 2011 09:02:23

Ricky Ponting will resume on day three looking to notch his first Test century in almost two years in the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba.

Starting the series under immense pressure, Ponting was Australia's second-day hero with a rearguard unbeaten 67 to lead the home side to 3 for 154 in reply to the Black Caps' 295.

The former skipper will resume with captaincy successor Michael Clarke (28 not out), after they both survived a nervous final half-hour before play was called off early for bad light on Friday afternoon.

Clarke played on from a Doug Bracewell delivery when he was on 23 but was given a reprieve when the third umpire detected a Bracewell no-ball.

Ponting was close to being out lbw to part-timer Dean Brownlie on referral when 63.

Ponting scored what seemed a career-saving 62 in last month's Johannesburg Test win over South Africa and has continued on with another crucial knock.

Now with 12,500 runs to his name, the Tasmanian last scored a century when he made 209 in January 2010 in Hobart against Pakistan.

Spinner Nathan Lyon said the Australians had never lost faith in Ponting, who came to the crease with the home side in trouble at 2 for 25.

"Ricky is one of the legends of the game," Lyon said.

"We've all got confidence in him and we're going to back him right until the end of the day.

"He's awesome so hopefully he can go on and make a big one tomorrow.

"We all know there's a lot of hard work to do, especially in the first hour tomorrow morning so it's going to be crucial for us but the game is definitely in the balance."

Australia has tried a dirty dozen slow bowlers since Shane Warne's retirement but surprise packet Lyon finally looks set to stop the spin cycle.

At a ground renowned as a fast-bowler's haven and one he had never even visited before the first Test, Lyon was an instant hit at the Gabba against New Zealand.

The South Australian off-spinner took 4 for 69 in New Zealand's first innings to be the most impressive of the home side's attack.

While his pace colleagues struggled, Lyon grabbed three on the second morning to clean up the Kiwi tail and return the best figures by an Australian finger-spinner in Brisbane for 80 years.

Not since left-armer Bert Ironmonger took 5 for 42 and 4 for 44 against South Africa in the Gabba's inaugural Test in 1931 has an orthodox slow bowler enjoyed the same success.

Lyon's effort was also the best by any off-spinner on the fast and bouncy track since Englishman John Emburey took 5 for 80 in the 1986-87 Ashes.

The 24-year-old made a mockery of Australia's initial temptation to use a four-prong pace attack and deny him his first home Test.

Called on in just the eighth over on the first day, he gained sharp turn and used good flight, changes of pace and bounce to pose plenty of questions to the batsmen.

While Lyon took 5 for 34 on debut against a reckless Sri Lanka at Galle just three months ago, his ability to prosper on the first two days in Brisbane, and the way he went about his business, spoke volumes.

"I was really happy with the way the ball was coming out of my hand," said the six-Test rookie, who was an unknown Adelaide Oval groundsmen 12 months ago.

"I felt like I was bowling quite well.

"I've been working pretty hard (in training) but in saying that there's still a lot of work to do on my bowling and I'm not going to settle until I get better and get more consistent."

That is music to the ears of the new five-man selection panel.

Since Warne's Test retirement five seasons ago, Australia has used and discarded 11 spinners who have rarely looked at home in the great man's shadow.

Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg also retired soon after, leaving Beau Casson, Dan Cullen, Jason Krejza, Nathan Hauritz, Bryce McGain, Cameron White, Xavier Doherty, Michael Beer and Stephen Smith to be tried and axed.

New Zealand's stalwart finger spinner Daniel Vettori gave his stamp of approval after battling with Lyon in his magnificent three-hour knock of 96.

"He looks like an aggressive spinner and that is what you want - a guy with the ability to take wickets," Vettori said.

"He got some bounce and turn, he flights it up and bowls the occasional quick one - it's not always easy to face."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia, new-zealand

First posted December 03, 2011 08:37:48

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Ponting not out of woods just yet

Updated December 04, 2011 08:51:10

The champagne remains on ice for Ricky Ponting, and not just because he failed to break his horror Test ton drought on Saturday.

He may have hit a fighting 78 in the first trans-Tasman Test at the Gabba, but the ex-Australian skipper will not be raising a toast to his Test future just yet.

In a sobering stat, Ponting has not scored a Test hundred since January 2010.

He spent almost four hours at the crease in Brisbane trying to rectify that.

However, he will need to wait a little longer for his 40th century after being trapped in front by Chris Martin on day three.

Retirement rumours will not go away for the 36-year-old but his knock will keep them at bay - for now.

A quick look around the dressing room is enough to remind Ponting of the enormous pressure he is under.

Three players were handed baggy greens before the Test - and national selectors are not afraid to order more.

New chairman of selectors John Inverarity has endorsed a youth policy.

But Ponting's main threats are very familiar, rather than fresh, faces.

Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh are set to return from injury and slot into the batting order, and Ponting knows he must keep scoring to ensure he is not the odd man out.

There were glimpses of the Ponting of old, rather than old Ponting, at the Gabba.

But there was also another familiar sight - Ponting out lbw.

He has now been trapped in front three times in the last four innings, and the worrying trend does not look like changing with his long-time tendency to shuffle across his stumps and play across the line.

The introduction of the decision review system has only magnified his problem.

In the past, umpires would often to err on the side of caution when Ponting was rapped on the pads.

These days umpires will raise the finger more often than not knowing teams can use technology to review what they believe is a contentious decision.

Still, Ponting looked set to break the drought on Saturday.

Even when Martin trapped Ponting in front and umpire Aleem Dar's finger went up the Gabba faithful dared to dream.

Called back by captain Michael Clarke from the non-striker's end, Ponting opted for a review.

But Ponting's already forlorn expression said it all - the lean run was going to extend to 29 innings.

It was still 78 runs more than Ponting thought he would get after almost being run out before scoring on Friday.

It appeared to be a good omen: he was dropped on nought before hitting his last ton, 209 against Pakistan in Hobart.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia, new-zealand

First posted December 04, 2011 08:40:21

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Ponting takes aim at 'underdone' Proteas

Updated November 08, 2011 11:29:47

Ricky Ponting believes South Africa could suffer from a lack of first-class preparation in the opening Test in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Five of the Proteas stars have not played a longer-form game since January, while Australia enters the two-match series on the back of three Tests against Sri Lanka and a tour game against South Africa A in Potchefstroom.

Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher have not pulled on the whites since the very start of the calendar year and Ponting says Australia can take advantage.

"I'd like to think so, one of the things we felt might have been on our side in the one-day series was that we'd played a bit of cricket and the South Africans were coming off a long break," Ponting said.

"Having a four-day game (in Potchefstroom), even though it was an indifferent wicket there, a few of our batsmen got some good quality time in the middle and a solid hit-out as well.

"We got from it what we could, we had an excellent training day yesterday, another one ... today and we'll lighten things up tomorrow (match eve on Tuesday)."

Australia has a tremendous record against the Proteas on South African soil and Ponting puts that down to the similarities between the two Test teams.

Ponting said essentially the sides know each other inside out and he is expecting another tenacious challenge at Newlands and then in Johannesburg next week.

"The big thing for us Australians is the contest that is provided when we arrive here in South Africa," he said.

"It's a place that reminds us most of Australia and we're playing against a group of players we all know pretty well because this team hasn't changed a lot over the last 10 years.

"There's no excuses for us, we'll be prepared and organised and hopefully you see that with our performances."

South African vice-captain AB de Villiers got through a domestic one-day match on Sunday and is attempting to make his international return from injury on Wednesday.

The star batsman fractures his hand during the Champions League tournament in India and missed the entire limited overs program so far on tour.

Ponting said the Australians would be surprised if de Villiers is not in the line-up and he does not believe his lack of match preparation will be an issue.

"Were expecting him to play, yeah. We noticed that he played the game yesterday," he said.

"He's back and he's got at least one game under his belt. He's a vital player in their side.

"He's been one of the best performed players in world cricket for the last few years in all three forms of the game.

"He's an exceptional talent and one of their leaders around the group. Were preparing for him to play."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, south-africa, australia

First posted November 08, 2011 09:03:04

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