Ponting retains faith in his ability

CRICKET:RICKY PONTING responded to his third failure to win the Ashes by insisting that he remains the best candidate to lead Australia through what threatens to become their greatest cricketing crisis for a generation.

Ponting conceded he may miss the final Test in Sydney because of the broken finger which he braved at the MCG, and tacitly accepted suggestions he may move down the order after a horrendous series batting at number three.

But if his Test captaincy, or indeed his career, is to end officially, then it will be at the selectors’ behest. They have entered prolonged discussions about what part Ponting should play in Australia’s future before an anticipated announcement of the squad for the final Test at the SCG last night.

“I probably haven’t got much of a case at the moment,” said Ponting. “But I’ve got a lot of knowledge on the game. I’ve played 150 Tests and won 99 Test matches, not as captain, but wins that I’ve been part of. I have captained a lot of winning teams. I feel I am well equipped to bring on some young guys and we have got a few of them in the side now. I know what it takes to win Test matches.

“You probably think that is a bit outrageous, but I have total belief in the set-up and structures and players we have in Australia. I want to be around the team, helping these young guys through the tougher times.

“Whatever decision I make, it’s really important it’s for the betterment of Australian cricket. I want to keep playing, I would love to keep leading the team, I still think I’ve got a lot to offer.”

Ponting admitted he was mystified by his tortured batting form throughout the Ashes series but, at 36, he refuses to consider he may be in irreversible decline.

“I got myself in the best physical shape I had been in for eight or 10 years of my career,” he said. “The game can almost grab hold of you and make you feel like you are unlucky all the time. That is not the case and I just have to find a way to turn it around. I have to keep improving as a player myself and lead from the front.”

Ponting confirmed suggestions that Greg Chappell, Australia’s national selector, had discussed the possibility of him batting at number four before the first Test in Brisbane. “He mentioned something briefly about the possibility,” said Ponting, who, it can safely be assumed, declined.

He gave qualified support to the notion that Usman Khawaja, an uncapped New South Wales batsman, could make his debut at the SCG at number three. “If it happens to be someone outside the team coming in to bat in that position, the selectors will have to make sure they’re ready for it. Everything I’ve seen of Usman, I’ve been very impressed. His first-class record is very, very good.”

The possibility that he may miss the SCG because of injury looked stronger when he left the MCG for further X-rays. He planned consultations with his specialist and with medical staff.

“We feel we have let ourselves down and we feel we have let the cricket public of Australia down. We have to give them something positive as far as Australian cricket is concerned.”