Ricky Ponting’s retirement is well-timed, says Ian Chappell – Cricket News Update
The Tasmanian announced his retirement from international cricket before the start of the third Test against South Africa at Perth. Ponting had already called it a day from the limited-over sport earlier this year, after a run of poor performances in the triangular series at home, which included India and Sri Lanka.
Chappell, in his article for ESPNcricinfo, praised the former Australian skipper’s decision and feels that the right-hander has a great chance of playing a big innings at Perth and quit the game in an ideal fashion.
After the important series, the former cricketer believes that the national selectors can give a chance to a younger batsman in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, as their bowling attack is not as potent as South Africa’s.
“Ponting's decision to retire was like one of his punched on-drives - well timed. He gets the opportunity to have a final fond farewell and the selectors can then introduce a younger player into the batting order to face Sri Lanka's moderate attack,” the former captain wrote.
The three-match series between Australia and Sri Lanka starts from December 14, at Hobart.
At the end of an illustrious career, Ponting has earned immense praise from one of the legends of the game. Chappell feels that the 37-year-old cricketer has been an integral part of Australia’s success in the last couple of decades.
He mentioned, “For much of his career Ponting has been a top-class player and the lynchpin of Australia's batting. If he took charge of the opposition bowlers Australia generally won, because he scored heavily and at a quick rate. If the opposition took Ponting's wicket early, they were buoyant and felt like they had a chance to win.”
With more than 27 thousand runs at the highest stage of the game and 71 centuries, Ponting is surely one of the all-time greats of the game, who led his country to two consecutive World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007.
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