Or, if he were a captain to a much better side - one that didn't really need captaincy, like one that contained Gilchrist, Hayden, McGrath, Warne.I agree completely. I think he'd be less affected if he wasn't captain and could just concentrate on his batting.
Nah he was out of Top-20 earlier this year too IIRC.Ponting's down to 25th in the ICC batting rankings, first time he's been out of the top 20 for nearly a decade.
Disagree, Ponting does have trouble against decent spin and swing bowling, especially early on in his innings.I don't like the notion that Ponting plays top class bowling less than Dravid.
If anything I think Ponting plays weaker attacks worst than Dravid.
Nope, this is the first time he is not in Top 20 since 2001.Nah he was out of Top-20 earlier this year too IIRC.
Don't think so... It was the straighter one and could have been picked off on action or at least off the wicket.. The second part basically means Ponting himself has picked and adjusted to such deliveries in the past, against blokes like Murali.The thing is that was the off-break that didn't spin. Didn't understand your second sentence.
Just found out that he got down to the 20th spot before the double hundred against pak, so yea you are right.Nope, this is the first time he is not in Top 20 since 2001.
ICC rankings news: Ricky Ponting slumps after Adelaide failures | Cricket News | The Ashes 2010-11 | ESPN Cricinfo
I think Ponting's been seen as Australia's best batsman ever since Steve Waugh retired, TBH. Even with the presence of Hayden, Langer, Gilchrist, peak Hussey etc.Mmm. I think teams have bowled a lot better to Ricky Ponting lately than they did when he was at his peak. Teams don't deliberately bowl straight to him anymore, and they tend to see him as the key wicket because of his status in the game, even if his form doesn't really justify it. Just thinking back, he's been up against an unusual amount of fierce spells of bowling in the last couple of years and got out to some properly good deliveries.
I'd say that and his pull shot going to poo are the two major factors. He's still scoring a respectable amount of runs though.
In other words, what you are saying is that being THE great batsman in a relatively weak team increases your likelihood of facing up to more top class bowling?Mmm. I think teams have bowled a lot better to Ricky Ponting lately than they did when he was at his peak. Teams don't deliberately bowl straight to him anymore, and they tend to see him as the key wicket because of his status in the game, even if his form doesn't really justify it. Just thinking back, he's been up against an unusual amount of fierce spells of bowling in the last couple of years and got out to some properly good deliveries.
I'd say that and his pull shot going to poo are the two major factors. He's still scoring a respectable amount of runs though.
I don't buy that theory at all TBH. When Ponting was in his prime, he was riding out those same testing spells and belting bowlers all over the park once he got set.In other words, what you are saying is that being THE great batsman in a relatively weak team increases your likelihood of facing up to more top class bowling?
dude.. that smiley was there for a reason.I don't buy that theory at all TBH. When Ponting was in his prime, he was riding out those same testing spells and belting bowlers all over the park once he got set.
Yeah, I could see your point. I should have quoted Uppercut instead.dude.. that smiley was there for a reason.