Ponting !

[larrikin]

Let's try and stay on topic crew - the state stuff is irrelevant....

On topic - had no issue with it - if you were trying to take an overhead catch you clearly called for and someone barrowed into you wouldn't you be pissed?

 

[Cousin Jed]

You would be. Its how you channel that anger.

Confronting umpires, smashing tv's and hurling the ball into the ground, probably not recommended.

 

[larrikin]

You would be. Its how you channel that anger.

Confronting umpires, smashing tv's and hurling the ball into the ground, probably not recommended.

Meh, minor stuff compared to our previous "leaders"

I agree to an extent - as an isolated issue it's not big - there is a pattern though

 

[wild side]

Meh, minor stuff compared to our previous "leaders"

I agree to an extent - as an isolated issue it's not big - there is a pattern though

Hence the pressure is getting to him !

 

[larrikin]

Hence the pressure is getting to him !

I honestly don't think it's the pressure, he's a Dad and is an older, crankier bastard.

I'm a couple of years younger than him and it's started happening to me....

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Hence the pressure is getting to him !

It made Punter look like a big baby. He's just pissed off overall because things aren't going his way with the bat.
He was so late on that pull shot that got him out last night.

He has already indicated that he wants to tour Bangladesh after the World Cup so I don't know where people are getting the idea that he is going to retire from ODI's.

 

[frankrizzo]

Im not that worried about pontings ordinary captaincy or his boorish behavior(both have been constants through his captaincy) what does worry me is his god awful form with the bat for a long long time now.

He leads with the bat because that's all he can lead with(he's no mark taylor) but he hasn't done that for two years now.

Time for ricky to make some runs or make way for somebody else.

 

[1980GFVideo]

I reckon the way that Border was talking to McDermott one game (I think over in NZ) was more embarrassing.

He was talking to him like a little kid and was picked up by the microphones. Happened overseas and was along the lines if you dont pick your game up you can go home but in a patronising manner.

Any one remember that, years ago.

 

[larrikin]

Im not that worried about pontings ordinary captaincy or his boorish behavior(both have been constants through his captaincy) what does worry me is his god awful form with the bat for a long long time now.

He leads with the bat because that's all he can lead with(he's no mark taylor) but he hasn't done that for two years now.

Time for ricky to make some runs or make way for somebody else.

I agree with that...

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Im not that worried about pontings ordinary captaincy or his boorish behavior(both have been constants through his captaincy) what does worry me is his god awful form with the bat for a long long time now.

He leads with the bat because that's all he can lead with(he's no mark taylor) but he hasn't done that for two years now.

Time for ricky to make some runs or make way for somebody else.

I agree, but it's not likely that he'll go of his own accord anytime soon.

 

[davis_756]

Nonsense. Smith went for the catch. He didn't hear Ponting. No one else called (or he didn't hear them). I've never heard of a situation where two players went for the same ball and then had a discussion as to who the senior player was and who should go for it.

Also, it's quite possible that Smith is a better fielder at this stage of their careers - should Ponting have recognised this and pulled out? It might have been better for the side?

The discussion is always who has the better position, Ponting clearly was. Your little golden boy royally ****ed up and then stood there like a stuffed mullet, learn to accept it.

As for fielding i'd trust punter to take any catch even ahead of the man with the gloves, he doesn't drop them so piss off with your trolling attempts.

I am tired of the pathetic Ponting bashing going on, the guy is a legend of australian cricket and has never lost us a game as captain in a world cup yet people want to dig into him and call him a poor leader all the time, its crap.

The day we dump a man with passion and commitment to winning like ponting has is the day we no longer compete in these tournaments.

 

[Beth]

I'm torn. I agree with davis that we can't afford to lose a guy with fire in the belly like Ricky but geez he's got to channel it a little more constructively. Like it or not its not a good look chucking balls, smacking TV's etc.

Perhaps its time for the gen x captain to hand it over to a gen y. Without wanting to get into a dissertation on the notable differences between the two I'll just say it might be better for his sanity to hang up the boots.

 

[hbk_aus]

Been confirmed that both players called for it at the same time. SO it was a simple miscommunication that happens a lot. Jeff Thomson incident years ago is an example. Like 2 AFL teammates going for the same ball, happens a lot. The reaction wasnt necessary. Man management at its best Ricky.

 

[Surkin]

Smith is clearly a better fieldsman than Ponting, it's not even arguable.

 

[aussierulesrules]

I just wish Smith had tried to take a hanger over the top of Punter. Knee on the shoulder, like Goddard in the tied GF style.
His reaction to that would have been something to behold!

 

[BarneyBent]

I just wish Smith had tried to take a hanger over the top of Punter. Knee on the shoulder, like Goddard in the tied GF style.
His reaction to that would have been something to behold!

Smith is from regional NSW, so I'd say he's a League boy. Shame.

 

[aussierulesrules]

That is a shame. Maybe he could have taken it Israel Folau-style? Then shouted "in your face!" to Ricky. That would have gone down a treat!

 

[Zeke]

Good to see some emotion on the field.

Maybe it's an indicator that Punter doesn't think some of the lads are taking the tournament seriously...

 

[krusden]

Good to see some emotion on the field.

Maybe it's an indicator that Punter doesn't think some of the lads are taking the tournament seriously...

being we only just beat canada that may be a valid point.

 

[Kyptastic]

It's good to see that at least some members of the media aren't hysterically overreacting:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/not-the-messiah-hes-a-very-naughty-boy-20110317-1byxx.html

 

[trev106]

Disgraceful leadership by Ponting. What he should of done is turned to Smith and gave him a pat on the back and said "Good to see your having a go mate". No instead he shows some emotion making a statement too his team that they need to stay awake and concerate when on the field so mix ups like that dont end up costing them.

 

[King Elvis]

Pontings poor leadership skills, tantrums, inability to cope under the pressure coupled with his poor form and general bastardry should ensure that this world cup will be the last time he represents Australia, certainly in a captaincy role anyway.

Yea, he's rubbish, it's no wonder we never win any World Cups with him in the side.

Maybe it's an indicator that Punter doesn't think some of the lads are taking the tournament seriously...

Heard somebody discussing it, maybe AB & Junior, and that's exactly what they said - we've been pretty underwhelming, and you've got a few guys who don't seem too annoyed by it.

A heretical alternative version of this incident has it that Ponting cares deeply about his post as Australian captain, takes team setbacks personally, was galled by Australia's Ashes forfeiture - for which he was held personally responsible - is tense about his own form, was irked by Australia's sloppy cricket early in this match, had time enough to see Smith out of the corner of his eye and feel alarm, time enough also to think of the embarrassment that would ensue if they botched the catch …

And that in those circumstances, his reaction scarcely deserves to be called a tantrum and was in fact an understandable, mild and even humanising venting of the moment's vortex of emotion, similar to Tasmanian captain George Bailey's reflexive action in kicking the ball away after dropping Phil Hughes in the Sheffield Shield final yesterday, as much a hanging offence as double parking. But Ponting is Australia's favourite whipping boy, and so all that matters is his punishment; the crime always must be made to fit it.

****ing right.

 

[Smurftown#11]

Disgraceful leadership by Ponting. What he should of done is turned to Smith and gave him a pat on the back and said "Good to see your having a go mate". No instead he shows some emotion making a statement too his team that they need to stay awake and concerate when on the field so mix ups like that dont end up costing them.

When I first read this I thought were actually advocating the first response and I was gonna give you an absolute serve.....but I see there was some sarcasm there.

This isn't some social cricket game guys, this is World Cup cricket. Hell, our captain in 3rd grade will give us a spray for silly dropped catches and poor communication. Only difference is that there aren't a million cameras at a 3rd crade canberra cricket match.

If any of you watched the game, Australia were so flat in the field it wasn't even funny. Yes Canada are minnows, but you're at the World Cup and you haven't played a game for the best part of a fortnight. Fire the EFF up lads! Go out there and absolutely demolish the opposition, not giving a toss if they're amateurs or not. Jugular or go home!

Ponting was completely justified in his reaction. Whether Smith didn't hear or not, he, as a professional and a damn good fielder, should have the awareness about where other players in the field are.... It WASN'T good enough, it was an amateur mistake and I think Ponting had every right to crack the sh!ts. It was the last straw in a very lacklustre fielding effort.

I'm not saying that fielding collisions won't happen at this level by the way, but that should only be in the case of absolutely skied bombs in the deep where you have two players going flat chat to get there and even the slightest hesitation would see them not make it or that half way to the boundary ball where you have eyes up and a player from the infield and outfield running, ala Gillespie and Waugh. OUCH!

 

[Underdog]

I'm not going to blast Punter but IMO it was pretty ordinary. Particularly following his box (..full of cement) incident.

It was a simple misunderstanding but no harm was done in the end and both players were trying to do the right thing. I suspect he didn't realise that at the time and hence had a hissy fit. Even if Smith was in the wrong, it's still pretty ordinary conduct for the captain - particularly to a young kid.

 

[Skeppersap]

But who is to say Smith didnt call for it at the same time? It happens. To show that sort of shit man-management towards a young player trying to find his way in the team is horrible leadership. He is becoming a frustrated old man.

A joke right? This isnt under 9s, Smith is playing for Australia in the World Cup.

He is probably being paid 10-20 times the average salary to represent Australia at the highest level of cricket, and the struggler cant even listen to basic calling.

As someone else said, you would be yelled at in 3rd grade cricket for that sort of stupidity!

Australian cricketers these days are an embarassment. Ponting may be out of form, but he is not a useless pretty boy like Smith!

Wish he would be dropped from one dayers and tests for the rest of his life (Smith that is!)