Ponting 'must be sacked'

[westdog54]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

While many of the criticisms in that article were entirely valid, the article loses credibility by calling for Ponting's sacking.

Could he have handled the Harbhajan Singh matter a litle better? Probably. He could have pulled his players away from the altercation, then had a word to the umpires, or even Harbhajan himself, at the next interval

Did the Australians play outside the spirit of the game? Debatable, but at times they did. Yes The indians do it quite a lot but The best cricket team in the world should be able to rise above that.

Should Symonds have walked? That's a matter for Symonds and no-one else. If it was me, then yes, I would walk, purely that's how I play sport. Any of those on this board who have played RecFooty alongside me (a few have posted in this thread already) can vouch for that. Did he know he was out at the time? You don't look back that quickly unless you've edged the ball, that should have been a dead give-away for Bucknor. It was a howler, but that's sport.

Should/Could Ponting have been more diplomatic to the Indian Press? I don't think he needed to, his character has brought into question and he's got a right to defend himself.

As for the Australian celebrations after the game, I didn't see any Australians doing any Gymnastics after taking a wicket. That was childishness in the extreme.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

I'd like to think so but it beggars belief for me. IIRC former Australian cricketing journalist Malcolm Knox (who got a bit disilluioned with the way the Australians were playing the game), wrote a novel about a fictional Australian player where the slips fielders and keeper agree in a close match that the next chance anything remotely close comes along they will all go up, with predictable results.

I've played enough cricket to know that you simply can't fake it. Because you never know when the next close one will be it's impossible to be spontaneous. If you predermine that you're going to appeal full-on for the next close one you end up looking like a goose when no-one else goes up.

Gilchrist thought it was out, it's the only explanation for his immediate and full-on appeal.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

Yeah I liked Rafter and really don't like Hewitt. But it took a fair while for me to stop supporting Hewitt - I think it was after he was no longer number one. And Hewitt is the archetypal spoilt brat. Lots of older Australian tennis fans who delighted in our dominance from the post-war till the late 70s hate Hewitt.

Norman is a knob but I still supported him when he was playing. Warne is another knob but I loved watching him bowl and was v happy to have him on the team (steroid masking agents notwithstanding).

Why do you like Rafter and not Hewitt? What has Hewitt ever done other than try to gee himself up by yelling out "C'MON" between points (annoying perhaps, but a hell of a sight better than grunting during points)?

I love Hewitt for his never, ever give in attitude and refusal to be beaten (I'd like some Bulldog players to take some lessons from him for starters).

Rafter spent his entire career in Bermuda avoiding paying Australian tax after we funded his development at the AIS.


And why is Norman a knob? Returned to Australia practically every year for over 20 years. This would have cost him millions in lost prizemoney in the USA.

What did he ever do to be hated?

The answer to both questions is easy. They were both good enough to have extended spells as world no. 1.

[Raw Toast]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

Why do you like Rafter and not Hewitt? What has Hewitt ever done other than try to gee himself up by yelling out "C'MON" between points (annoying perhaps, but a hell of a sight better than grunting during points)?

I love Hewitt for his never, ever give in attitude and refusal to be beaten (I'd like some Bulldog players to take some lessons from him for starters).

Rafter spent his entire career in Bermuda avoiding paying Australian tax after we funded his development at the AIS.

And why is Norman a knob? Returned to Australia practically every year for over 20 years. This would have cost him millions in lost prizemoney in the USA.

What did he ever do to be hated?

The answer to both questions is easy. They were both good enough to have extended spells as world no. 1.

Maybe the problem is that I don't generally believe in easy answers (I'd be in a different career if I did).

I wasn't Rafter's biggest fan, but he played tennis with grace and humility. I think his living in Bermuda is pathetic (as are his acting skills).

As I said previously I supported Hewitt early, I think all the time he was number one, and also loved his fighting spirit. He never grew out of his petulance though, seeks to antagonise opponents, never admits any wrong-doing and conducts himself with very little grace and maturity. (I also think tennis has passed him by because though he knows he should play attacking tennis, whenever things get tight he goes conservative and just gets the ball back in.)

Norman was a champion, and I loved watching him play golf. I don't hate him by any means, just think he shoots off without thinking and isn't that much of a thinker. But I don't think you can compare him to Hewitt (Norman was a much more dominant player over a much longer time). I don't think Norman is that hated. Hewitt is disliked and I think for legitimate reasons.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

Punter is a massive sook. Can dish it out but cannot take it.

Singh should get rubbed out if he said something racist, however Ponting has opened a can of worms - from now on Australia should expect formal complaints every time they open their obnoxioius cheating racist mouths. The idea that Australia are accusing India of racism is hysterical and causes me to giggle like a madman.

Everyone seems to like Australia winning, but no one seems to respect the Australian Cricket Team. Ponting has lead the team in a boorish and obnoxious, win at all costs manner and should go.

Leadership is about MORE than winning. If you cannot win with dignity, eventually people will get sick of you. People are sick of Ponting.

He is also a petulant whiner has a face like a ferret.

We've disagreed about a lot of things over the last few years, but I think I disagree with this more than anything else you've ever written.

I can remember one racist issue with Darren Lehmann - something he said in the dressing room with no Sri Lankans present - and he got rubbed out.

The same should apply to anyone else. Say something offensive, get rubbed out.

The Australians are expected to be whiter than the driven snow but the others can get away with behaviour that would never be considered acceptable by the Australians.

I expect all teams to be treated the same but the fact is they aren't.

It doesn't help that the Australians are good, there's no bigger crime in the eyes of the Australian public than a fellow Australian being successful.

[The Underdog]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

I wasn't as annoyed about this whole affair as many seem to be, however a few things stood out to me.

The Australians not shaking hands with the opposition at the end of the game. Kumble stood there as players rushed past him to congratulate each other and jump around like knobs.

Why are players happy to accept the umpires decision when it goes their way but they act like petulant schoolboys when they get a bad one? Ponting had no right to question being given out when he clearly had a life earlier. You live by the sword, you die by it.

Ponting was extremely lucky. He was 3 Michael Clarke wickets and 10 minutes from being hugely criticised for a late declaration.

I thought both teams behaviour was ordinary, highlighted by Ponting's atttitude and Harbajan's celebration when he got Ponting in the 2nd innings.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

I wasn't as annoyed about this whole affair as many seem to be, however a few things stood out to me.

The Australians not shaking hands with the opposition at the end of the game. Kumble stood there as players rushed past him to congratulate each other and jump around like knobs.

Why are players happy to accept the umpires decision when it goes their way but they act like petulant schoolboys when they get a bad one? Ponting had no right to question being given out when he clearly had a life earlier. You live by the sword, you die by it.

Ponting was extremely lucky. He was 3 Michael Clarke wickets and 10 minutes from being hugely criticised for a late declaration.

I thought both teams behaviour was ordinary, highlighted by Ponting's atttitude and Harbajan's celebration when he got Ponting in the 2nd innings.

I distinctly remember seeing all the players lining up after the game shaking hands.

Ponting's declaration showed to me he was more concerned about winning the series than the record for concecutive wins. Take the draw in Sydney, smash them in Perth and go to Adelaide 2-0 up.

Australia has no obligation to give India a chance.

[Mantis]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

Ponting's declaration showed to me he was more concerned about winning the series than the record for concecutive wins. Take the draw in Sydney, smash them in Perth and go to Adelaide 2-0 up.

Australia has no obligation to give India a chance.

Agree on these points.

Who gives a toss what Tony Greig thinks. And on Tony Greig doesn't he look bloody ordinary at present. I made the comment to a few mates while viewing the Cricket Show that he looks like Darth Vader when he takes his mask off in Return of the Jedi.

[The Underdog]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

I distinctly remember seeing all the players lining up after the game shaking hands.

Ponting's declaration showed to me he was more concerned about winning the series than the record for concecutive wins. Take the draw in Sydney, smash them in Perth and go to Adelaide 2-0 up.

Australia has no obligation to give India a chance.

I was thinking more of a disappointed Kumble patting a player on the back and being ignored after the final wicket. I understand the players were excited but I just think you can keep it in check for long enough to shake the hands of the guys in the middle, especially Kumble who batted his heart out.

I understand what Ponting was trying to do with his declaration, but I thought a slightly earlier declaration would have given Australia a better chance without really giving India much of a shot on day 5 on that pitch. Surely you give you self the best chance of winning regardless. I know we have a good record in Perth, but we haven't won it yet. I know this is academic as we won, but it was only because M.Clarke got 3 wickets at the end that none of the recognised bowlers even looked like getting. They were lucky on that score. I agree that we don't need to give India a chance but would a lead of 290 and an extra 30-40 minutes bowling at them been more of a chance?

[G-Mo77]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

It's refreshing to see some opposing thoughts on the Australian cricket team. It's also nice to see the word "Un-Australian" not thrown around either, something I have been called for many years and seems the standard response for people who say anything negative about the Australian Cricket team.

I can't support this team at all and haven't for a long time now, they have turned me off cricket completely. I doubt I'll ever be back the last test just reinforced my thoughts on this team and looks like it has opened the eyes of many more. This team needs to change it's ways! I don't think sacking Ponting will help but he certainly needs to be pulled aside and spoken to by a higher power in Australian Cricket. When a country starts turning on your team, and slowly that is happening, something needs to be done.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

It's refreshing to see some opposing thoughts on the Australian cricket team. It's also nice to see the word "Un-Australian" not thrown around either, something I have been called for many years and seems the standard response for people who say anything negative about the Australian Cricket team.

I can't support this team at all and haven't for a long time now, they have turned me off cricket completely. I doubt I'll ever be back the last test just reinforced my thoughts on this team and looks like it has opened the eyes of many more. This team needs to change it's ways! I don't think sacking Ponting will help but he certainly needs to be pulled aside and spoken to by a higher power in Australian Cricket. When a country starts turning on your team, and slowly that is happening, something needs to be done.

The country isn't turning on our team, just those who don't like successful people.

[Mantis]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

The country isn't turning on our team, just those who don't like successful people.

I enjoy successful sports team and individuals. I don't like tossers and I don't like people who think they are better than everyone else. There is a a fine line as to be successful you need a hint of arrogance, but I think too many of the current Australian team cross this line without realising it.

If nothing else comes of this I think the Australian players are now aware that they must behave in a more respectful manner on the cricket field because most of the paying public will not tolerate there arrogance.

[hujsh]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

I find it interesting that the Indians would accept the Australian's deal to listen to the fielders for contentious catches and then say that we can't be trusted because we don't walk.

If you go to baggygreen.com.au there is footage of Harbhajan being bowled and then standing his ground.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

The country isn't turning on our team, just those who don't like successful people.

No, it is far from tall poppy syndrome. Mantis summed up everything in his post I don't need to add much more.

I'll just edit a few things though Mantis:

Australia doesn't like tossers and don't like people who think they are better than everyone else.

[hujsh]

Re: Ponting 'must be sacked'

The country isn't turning on our team, just those who don't like successful people.

I'll buck the trend and agree with you. Apart from being excited at winning, Ponting being upset at his integrity being questioned and reporting racism i don't know what the Aussies have done to be worse than the Indians who have threatened to leave, blackmailed the ICC and have called Symonds a monkey allegedly for the second time.

I know Ponting wasn't happy with the journo who questioned his integrity because he claimed a catch (the bat pad of Dohni that was given not out) when his hand, still in firm control of the ball, touched the ground. That meant that it wasn't a catch but who can blame him for thinking it was a catch

If I was Ponting I would be upset when he has gone far to say he didn't take a catch that looked out, of the bowling of Johnson I believe, that any Indian would have appealed for.