End of the Ponting era?

There used to be a time when the first name written down in the Australian batting order was of Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting at No. 3 and then the rest of the slots were filled. At one time he used to be the most feared batsman in the game to walk in at number 3, leaving bowlers and captains holding their heads in their hands. He would dismiss deliveries from his presence with disdain; a king of the batting world. He would pull anything short or driving anything full towards the boundary.

But, alas, that time has passed.

He is no longer a young player without fear but is approaching (and some even say is past) retirement age. The reflexes have slowed down and he is no longer the force he used to be. The mind is still at work but the body is not responding as it should and that shows up on the scorecard. He has failed to reach three figures in the test arena for over a year now. And today he lost the coveted number 3 spot to Shaun Marsh. Marsh took over the responsibility of coming one down in the second test match between Sri Lanka and Australia as Ponting was home attending the birth of his second child and scored a magnificent hundred. And that perhaps persuaded the management having one eye on the future to retain him at that spot, although Ponting is back for the third test. This marks the end of an era and is a sad day for cricket.

Ponting was a majestic sight to behold for any cricket fan. His batting was easy on the eye and left one in awe. He became only the third Australian cricketer to have gone past the mark of 10,000 runs in test cricket after Border and Waugh and then overtook them as country’s leading run scorer. He is the most successful cricketer to ever play test cricket with 100 wins to his name and is the most successful captain to ever lead a test side. His ODI record is illustrious as well.

But reputation counts for little when it comes to selection of the Australian team. Selectors are ruthless as former greats have found out. Ponting hasn’t been piling up scores of late and has looked a shadow of his former self.
And today, a statement has been made. The best batsman of the side usually bats at number 3. Ponting is no longer regarded as the best batsman in the Australian lineup and has been told that in no uncertain terms!
He has expressed his desire to play on but I think he should reconsider. It is always good to leave on a high rather than wait till the last nail has been hammered into your coffin.