Comments on: Ponting cops it for picking self-preservation over victory

By: steve martin

steve martin — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Doesn’t take long for all the experts to rush in to criticize Ponting once Australia looks like being beaten by a team that looks like it should be number 1 in the Test rankings.
Our fast bowlers haven’t exactly been outstanding in this series. Lee in particular has been disappointing, and Stuart Clark was dropped for the last test. The criticism that I have read relates to the use of “part time ” bowlers because of the ridiculously slow over rates. But have people forgotten so soon, spinner Krejza has just taken 12 wickets in the match at an average of just under 30. And Michael Clarke last tour to India took an amazing 6 for 9 in one test. And Cameron White was picked largely as a spin bowler. So Ponting’s use of “part time” spinners doesn’t seem all that odd.

By: Ev

Ev — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Also Steve, I wouldn't call Shameless Hussey a part time spinner either. Maybe a trundler?

Ponting's captaincy has always been unimaginative and lazy. I doubt he's smart enough to think about 2 things at once, like over rates and winning.

Dhoni was awful too, which surprised me, since I thought he was inspirng during the 2nd test.

By: Dave Liberts

Dave Liberts — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Although aspects of Punter’s captaincy do puzzle me, I thought he did the right thing by the game in trying to complete the required overs in time, as the laws of the game require. I think he’s partially to blame for the slow over rate though. It’s puzzling that the team can’t work out how to keep over rates under control when you consider the size of the on-field and off-field brains trust.

By: Mike Marriott

Mike Marriott — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Peter Roebuck was a second rate player in England.
He always has been and always will be nothing more than whinging pom trying to draw attention to himself.
His sporting career produced nothing but division in English cricket and he continues his divisive ways writing for rags in Australia.
I have my suspicions about him being a kiddie toucher after reading his page in Wikipedia.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Roebuck).
Ricky, why lower yourself responding to a whimpering, blubbering fool like Roebuck?

By: David

David — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

What Steve Martin conveniently omits to say is Michael Clarke didnt bowl yesterday so either he also is a part of the mystery clouding Pontings brain or he is unwell. According to ABC commentator Glenn Mitchell, who asked the Australian media Manager if Clarke is not well, the answer was “nothing wrong with him”. So begs the question if he is one of the top spinners in the side why was he not bowled instead of the part timers. It is inexcusable for Ponting to put his own personal standing and circumstances above his team and his country. This is not the first time he has bungled the over rate. frankly there is no excuse. His peers are rightly giving him stick, they know the story and probably know a lot more than us casual observers