Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

[GVGjr]

The Australian cricket public demands a fair bit from our test sides. That might be harsh but in my opinion it goes with the territory. Ponting needs to win 2 of the next 3 tests without dropping another result if he is to captain the side to a winning Ashes campaign which will be a difficult task.

If we fail to beat the Poms and lose this series do we stick with him regardless or replace him with someone else? Do we back him or sack him?

Thoughts?

[chef]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

If we lose this series I want him gone, but the problem is 'who replaces him?'

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

If you sack Ponting is it because of his captaincy or form?

Personally I'd keep him, but its much easier to sack him than the 4 selectors who in my view have to share a sizable chunk of blame.

Obviously it will need a review after the Ashes, but at this point I'm only talking about now whilst the Ashes are in progress.

[comrade]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

He needs to finish up after the Ashes.

[Topdog]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

his position as captain will be untenable. It's a shame that Australians can't understand that you don't have to be captain to still play. Happy for him to keep his spot in the side but he isn't a captain.

[Greystache]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

I'd like to see him retire at the end of the series. His form has been average to poor the last couple of years and it's only going to go one way, plus he'll refuse to play on if he's not captain and the only way the team can rebuild is removing him from his unofficial chairman of selectors role.

[Bornadog]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

If you sack Ponting is it because of his captaincy or form?

Personally I'd keep him, but its much easier to sack him than the 4 selectors who in my view have to share a sizable chunk of blame.

Obviously it will need a review after the Ashes, but at this point I'm only talking about now whilst the Ashes are in progress.

Thats how I voted, however, a review is required after the Ashes.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

If we lose this series I want him gone, but the problem is 'who replaces him?'

I said after her lost the Ashes in 2005 that he should have been sacked so nothing....not even the 5-0 white wash has changed my opinion.

That said, I don't think that giving him the heave ho in the middle of a series is the answer. The fact is that he is surrounded by a group of very, very, very, very sub-par cricketers. Batsmen who have no backbone and bowlers who are incapable of bowling line and length to maintain pressure.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

Sack him as captain but keep him as a batsman.

[Scraggers]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

his position as captain will be untenable. It's a shame that Australians can't understand that you don't have to be captain to still play. Happy for him to keep his spot in the side but he isn't a captain.

^^^ This ^^^ !!!

[lemmon]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

Who captains then? Clarke's position is on as rocky as Ponting's and his back looks shot, Huss is an 18 month promotion at most (and I dont think hes particularly astute tactically), Watson hasnt captained a side in his life and Haddin is too hit and miss. Ponting is the only option and will be untill Clarke can prove both fitness and form for the long term.

[GVGjr]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

Sack him as captain but keep him as a batsman.

That's what I would do if he we lose the Ashes. I'm not sure he would accept it though.

[The Doctor]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

get rid of him altogether.

A great career is coming to a disappointing end. I think he is past the stage where he can resurrect his form and lead us out of the mire he helped lead us into.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

He will go down in history as the only Australian captain to lose 3 Ashes series.

Enough said.

[Mantis]

Re: Ricky Ponting - Back him or Sack him?

Who captains then? Clarke's position is on as rocky as Ponting's and his back looks shot, Huss is an 18 month promotion at most (and I dont think hes particularly astute tactically), Watson hasnt captained a side in his life and Haddin is too hit and miss. Ponting is the only option and will be untill Clarke can prove both fitness and form for the long term.

It's a tough one, but you can't keep someone in the job just because you don't believe there is a suitable replacement, especially when the incumbent is doing such a poor job.

For the first time in a long time they (CA or the selectors) have to bite the bullet and take a risk.