Ponting to Somerset.

[Eclipse]

'Punter' signs county deal: reports

Australia's one-day captain Ricky Ponting has agreed a deal to play English county cricket for Somerset in 2004, according to reports today.

The BBC's website says Ponting will only be available for Somerset from mid-July to the end of August.

Fellow Tasmanian Jamie Cox will step in to the overseas player slot when Ponting is unavailable.

Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson said he hoped the presence of 'Punter' would prove a crowd-pleasing mive.

"We were looking to sign a high-profile player and he's obviously one of the leading batsmen in the world."

Ponting has scored 4,856 runs in 69 Tests at an average of 51. He has scored 6,325 in one-day internationals.

Current Test and previous one-day skipper Steve Waugh played for Somerset in 1988


Should be interesting to see how he goes. I did not think county cricket would have been that high on his prioritys but maybe he feels like scoring a triple hunderd or somthing lol.

 

[Tim]

Thats a fairly arrogant thing to suggest, but you're probably right...if Ponting hits his straps then its unlikely he'll be dismissed too often.

 

[Top_Cat]

Maybe he feels he needs a challenge after dominating the supposedly 'superior' Pura Cup comp..........

 

[age_master]

no no no, he hasn't signed as a batsman, hes signed as a bowler, hes going to open the bowling for them he really just wants to take more wickets

 

[Eclipse]

Probably is a bit arrogant to suggest he will make a 300.

 

[masterblaster]

Somerset really will have snapped up a 'great' in Ponting.
Interesting to see how he will go. Ponting is always proven himself to be a very hard working and the 'learning' type of cricketer.

Im sure the County Game will teach Ricky even more about the game, and make him even better.

 

[age_master]

dont forget the boost that ponting will be to the fielding as well, feel free to correct me if im wrong but i don think that somerset have any particularly good fielders

 

[Eclipse]

I have always thought Ricky plays at his best when he is fresh ie he usualy starts the season brilliantly.

Hopefully he copes well with the non stop schedual of county cricket.

 

[Langeveldt]

no no no, he hasn't signed as a batsman, hes signed as a bowler, hes going to open the bowling for them he really just wants to take more wickets

And I wouldnt be at all surprised :duh: Weve had Burns opening the bowling on numerous occasions (He used to be Warwickshires reserve wicket keeper I think)

 

[Anna]

Well I'm just happy that Somerset have signed a decent player!!

 

[gibbsnsmith]

Well I'm just happy that Somerset have signed a decent player!!

decent or superb magnificently fluorescently excitingly decent signing?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

decent or superb magnificently fluorescently excitingly decent signing?

No, they only signed Ponting... not Lara.

 

[gibbsnsmith]

I rank Lara, Ponting and SRT in the same class, every one else is not in their league..in his day Ponting is a master [ie WC final]

 

[Eclipse]

I rank Lara, Ponting and SRT in the same class, every one else is not in their league..in his day Ponting is a master [ie WC final]

He's certainly got talent. He picks the ball up very early compaird to most players and like Lara and Sachin he plays shots that stick in your mind for along time.

I would say Ponting is always going to be less consistant than Tendulkar he's deffinatly not quite as good technicaly. And Lara is the better allround player especialy of spin were as Ponting is probably slightly better against pace.

Ponting for mine is half a notch below both Lara and Tendulkar but talent wise I rank him right up there.

 

[Rik]

Ponting for mine is half a notch below both Lara and Tendulkar but talent wise I rank him right up there.

What on earth? You mean to say he's not the best in the world and everyone else is nowhere near him, as with most Aussie players?

:O :O :O :O :O

 

[Langeveldt]

Both are class players, but id much rather have Ponting batting for my life... I rate him slightly above Lara

 

[Eclipse]

What on earth? You mean to say he's not the best in the world and everyone else is nowhere near him, as with most Aussie players?

:O :O :O :O :O

Age master is usualy the guy that says all that stuff lol.

I probably have alot to say about aussie players but I usualy dont overate them that much.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Both are class players, but id much rather have Ponting batting for my life... I rate him slightly above Lara

I would take Lara because I would have as much confidence that he would do well in India as in Australia.

 

[Rik]

Age master is usualy the guy that says all that stuff lol.

I probably have alot to say about aussie players but I usualy dont overate them that much.

True.

 

[Mr. P]

I would take Lara because I would have as much confidence that he would do well in India as in Australia.

Thats true, but i think Ponting has conquered his problems and will be fine for the upcoming tour in India.