I know it's not in my normal vein, but I'm still struggling to regain my sense of humour (although Brett Lee is due to get some piss taken in the next few days) after exiting the World Cup. I'm not going to write more about Ricky Ponting and whether or not he should go. You all know I don't want him to, if only because it will cut my photo posts in half when his face isn't there to make jokes about.
No, not really. I really don't want him to go, although maybe it's time. I don't know. There are plenty of blogs discussing the issue and if you want a quick run down of some of them, go and visit Wes. Please note, however, that due to a comment she got from an Indian supporter that went a little like this: "Fuck you and the kangaroo you rode in on mister" she is moderating comments for a little while, so be patient if your comment doesn't appear right away. Add to this, also, Govind's honest and fair piece about the man and why he doesn't like him.
I just want to say that I love Justin Langer. While much of the rest of the world, including many Australians, are calling for Ponting's head Our Justin has written this: The Story of Ricky Ponting.
Nice one, mate. And thanks to Jen for pointing it out to me.
7 comments:
Well Punter is a great captain. I mean he may have lost the Ashes thrice, and also messed up this WC, and the T20 WCs before, but his record is phenomenal. Strauss got his team 2 Ashes but I don't think anyone calls him a good skipper...
It would be a pity to see Ricky axed.
It would be, but if he must go I hope he goes because he had decided it's time NOT because those idiots we call a selection panel say so.
Sid,
Thanks for the mention mate. My reaction was like, "OMG, in spite of all we have said about him, here goes a Champion Aussie who perhaps was second only to Shane Warne". I have never watched the Don. For me, Shane Warne remains the most darned greatest match winner of all times.
I didn't watch Ponting get out because I was on my job. But the replays disappointed me. The reverse sweep was ugly. As ugly as Tatenda Taibu has always been.
Ponting doesn't need that shot but that was how he was destined to leave. I hope he doesn't continue for long though he does look quite fit. That shot still could be his last in a World Cup.
Sadly for Ponting, the current team is full of those who have NOT earned the 'Baggy Green'. Many have been rewarded like it always happens in India. I don't remember many craps playing for Australia while we have seen too many of them doing so for India and many other teams. Especially the West Indies today.
So Ponting looks a misfit today in his own team. For his generation, losing hurt and he went to the extreme means not to lose. The current lot can't even do the normal things to win.
Justin Langer's piece was great. But I hope your CA guys screw up Ponting because we don't want him to become a 'Monster' like Sachin has become today without the burden of Captaincy !
Thanks for the plug, Sid, much appreciated. I've put a message into the comment form, so that people don't wonder. My Adelaide friend said (on the comments on the Essendon HP) that the internet enables the less mentally gifted to raise their voice. Well, one just has to learn to keep the door shut! My mistake ;)
Have to agree with Govind. There are people in that team, who you feel haven't earnt and will probably never really earn the ridiculous contracts they are on.
But Punter is aging and he has to go at some time. I read Justin Langer's blog yesterday and for the first time ever actually felt quite emotional about Punter. It was such a heartfelt piece.
Funny how he mentioned MJ in terms of athleticism in that piece. He is the only one who I feel has anything approaching Punter's talent level and he's not that close, but he will never in a million years have his pig-headedness, guts and appetite for a fight.
And there isn't anyone else in the team who has it either.
lou
It's true, there aren't so many who have earned the baggy green. We've been saying this for a while as well, but maybe they need to (almost) completely start again. I love Hussey, but he must be due to retire. And how about Cam White? I like him, I think he ought to stay. Keep Pup and Twatto ... who else?
I like Cam too, but his form is in the toilet. Changing his game to learn to hit straight has seriously diminished his ability to hit consistently. The have to move him up the order in the one day team to enable him to play himself in. It's not working 'saving' him for later as he doesn't have the flexible game of someone like Mussey.
lou
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