Is Ponting untouchable?

[legend166]

Let me get this out of the way - I'm a big Ponting fan. I think he's a good captain, and obviously one of the best batsman Australia has ever produced.

However....anyone can see that his batting has fallen away over the last few years. In fact, his average from 2007 to now has been 41.8. In the three years previous his average was 65! It was during this time when all the "Best since Bradman" stuff came about. Now, obviously that's not sustainable, but the decline has been somewhat startling.

Now, obviously he's got more latitude than other players, since he's the captain, and the selectors will be much more cautious in talk of dropping him. So, unless he has an atrocious run, or calls it quits himself, he's pretty much guaranteed to go until the next Ashes series.

But, if 2010 is similar to 2009, where his average has dropped below 40, do you think there will be rumblings for him to go? Or will they try dropping him down the order? Do you think he'd step aside himself, given that he's said he wants to go back to England?

I'd love nothing more than for him to come out in 2010 and average 80 like he did a few years back, but I can't see it happening.

 

[likka]

Hussey is still in the side despite a deplorable couple of years... using that logic Ponting will be able to play until he is 50.

 

[legend166]

Hussey is still in the side despite a deplorable couple of years... using that logic Ponting will be able to play until he is 50.

Haha yeah, I was thinking about that too. Hussey's average over the last two years has been 36 and he's still there....

 

[King Elvis]

Punter is under a huge amount of pressure at present, trying to hold this new team together and trying to still be a dominant force at number 3.

I almost think a move down the order might be worthwhile in the next year or two, but, as it stands, he's still extremely good.

 

[Belnakor]

Clarke needs to be batting higher, thats the only major problem in the lineup. Hussey dropped and Watson batting at 5 would be perfeck.

Punter is such a key performer that we knew when he got out on tuesday that was the end of the run chase - he has plenty of years left.

 

[Minotaur]

He should definitely drop down the order and Clark who is currently the best batsman in the team should be batting higher.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

He is now what 35? in the twilight stage of his career so he probably has 2years left no point in dropping him now.

 

[crownie]

i have sensed a decline for a while and a guy of his class should make a heap this summer or else i think the warning signs will be there.

i wouldnt be suprised if the next summer is his last.

 

[Belnakor]

he'll keep playing until the ashes in england - he is too hungry to redeem himself

 

[Cotchin 9]

He's slipped to 12th in the world rankings, first time out of the top ten since 2002.

 

[Hellgood]

He's not dominating as he used to, he's not failing either, he has got many starts, but hasn't gone on with them, still a damn good batsman, and you wouldn't want anyone else in world cricket to be coming out after one of the openers failed and were 1/0.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

There are 2 or 3 batsmen that would be dropped before Ponting let me say that starting with the useless Hussey