Could Ponting be Test Captain sooner than we think?

[Wicked Lester]

I have a hunch - which could prove to be completely false - that the selectors will appoint Ricky Ponting captain of the test team sooner rather than later.

Why would they do this?

To make it clear that generational change is, in their opinion, becoming rather urgent.

To give Ponting the chance to settle into the captaincy while he has a settled and experienced team around him - that is, to get him used to the feeling of winning.

It used to happen quite a lot and was seen as a way of an old experienced captain handing over the reigns to the new and leaving the team in as healthy a condition as possible.

How could they do it?

Pretty simple. Announce Ponting's elevation for the reasons cited above and by making the point that Steve Waugh will play as a batsman and what a great thing it will be for Ponting to have his advice and experience if needed.

Why wouldn't they do it?

Steve Waugh might actively campaign (within the team and through the media) against the move and undermine Ponting.

It could be regarded as a slap in the face to Steve Waugh whose service has been unquestionable. He's achieved pretty much everything in cricket except winning in India and Sri Lanka - though whether he's captain or not on these tours shouldn't really matter in a team game.

I've been wondering for some time now whther the selectors would be gutsy enough to make a proactive move like this. I may well be way off the mark - but it would not surprise me if a Ponting appointment did happen sooner than we expect.

 

[naughty monkey]

Originally posted by Wicked Lester
I have a hunch - which could prove to be completely false - that the selectors will appoint Ricky Ponting captain of the test team sooner rather than later.

Why would they do this?

To make it clear that generational change is, in their opinion, becoming rather urgent.

To give Ponting the chance to settle into the captaincy while he has a settled and experienced team around him - that is, to get him used to the feeling of winning.

It used to happen quite a lot and was seen as a way of an old experienced captain handing over the reigns to the new and leaving the team in as healthy a condition as possible.

How could they do it?

Pretty simple. Announce Ponting's elevation for the reasons cited above and by making the point that Steve Waugh will play as a batsman and what a great thing it will be for Ponting to have his advice and experience if needed.

Why wouldn't they do it?

Steve Waugh might actively campaign (within the team and through the media) against the move and undermine Ponting.

It could be regarded as a slap in the face to Steve Waugh whose service has been unquestionable. He's achieved pretty much everything in cricket except winning in India and Sri Lanka - though whether he's captain or not on these tours shouldn't really matter in a team game.

I've been wondering for some time now whther the selectors would be gutsy enough to make a proactive move like this. I may well be way off the mark - but it would not surprise me if a Ponting appointment did happen sooner than we expect.

If Steve Waugh plays then he is the captain.
[/Story]

He is in good form with the bat and we haven't looked like losing a series since that last amazing tour to India.

Punter is getting experience as captain thanks to the ODI's.

 

[swans_supporter]

Good idea, it would be better to give him a go with a Tugga there and a chance to get the feel with the guidance of Steve still there. He is an awesome One Day captain and his performance under pressure in the WC Final was evidence. Has he got the greatest ever winning % as captain for 25+ games?

 

[EagleBlue]

I have a feeling that if Punter is made captain, Steve Waugh will NOT play. I reckon the selectors will feel that to have him playing under Pontings captaincy will hinder his development as a test match captain. A good idea in theory but I doubt whether the selectors would go for it

 

[ScouseCat]

I would have thought Ricky Ponting was selected as the One-Day captain to gain valuable experience and prepare him to take over from Steve Waugh when he retires from test cricket.

 

[-WWJD-]

I think if the selectors chose to go this way, it would show no respect to someone who has been one of our greatest leaders. He is in great form and his Captaincy hasn't faltered once, despite all the pressure he's been under in the last 18 months. I don't see any reason Tugga shouldn't be Captain of the Test side. I'm sure it would also put Punta in an awkward position being elevated as Captain over Waugh.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Give Tugga India.

 

[Wicked Lester]

Originally posted by acg_204*
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

A term often applied to many situations and fine in theory.

But I think of it less as 'fixing it' and more as maintenance.

 

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by Wicked Lester
But I think of it less as 'fixing it' and more as maintenance.

If Steve Waugh wasn't making any runs at Test level, I could understand the need for change and for Steve to move on, but the fact is he's still averaging over 50, still making centuries, still making runs at State level, still captaining the side well... no need to make changes at this stage.

 

[dodgey]

Originally posted by ScouseCat
If Steve Waugh wasn't making any runs at Test level, I could understand the need for change and for Steve to move on, but the fact is he's still averaging over 50, still making centuries, still making runs at State level, still captaining the side well... no need to make changes at this stage.

Couldn't have put it better myself

 

[GoEagles]

If Ponting if appointed Captain while Steve Waugh is still playing, I think Tugga might retire. He could see it as a bit of an insult

 

[carn_the_nmfc]

I am leaning towards what GoEagles has said.

I reckon that if Ricky Pointing was appointed skipper of the test team, Steve would retire.

It would be better for Pointing to wait until Steve retires

 

[Wicked Lester]

Originally posted by GoEagles
If Ponting if appointed Captain while Steve Waugh is still playing, I think Tugga might retire. He could see it as a bit of an insult

I suspect the selectors would be quite happy with that outcome.

It would mean their generational change program would be back on schedule.

I believe Steve Waugh's retirement/axing (call it what you like) was this year's scheduled change to the team. So if he spat the dummy and retired, that might be just what they're looking for!