Ponting ODI career appears over
February 20, 2012 17:58:01 UK
Ricky Ponting's ODI career seems to be over after Australian selectors finally lost patience with his poor form in the 50-over format.
Ponting was not selected for the Australia squad for the remainder of the Commonwealth Bank Series.
Ponting captained the Aussie side in their last two matches in the absence of regular skipper Michael Clarke, who was nursing a hamstring strain. While Australia did inflict a massive defeat over India in the 37-year-old batsman's final match, his personal form failed to improve.
Australia are 1.14 to win the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Series, while India are 1213.00 and Sri Lanka are 5.50.
The former Aussie captain was able to score just 16 runs in five outings in the on-going Tri-series, after which the selectors had little choice but to axe him from the squad.
Talking about Ponting's dumping, chief selector John Inverarity said: "Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the squad due to his lack of form in the five Commonwealth Bank Series matches to date in this series. The team will not seem the same without him, but moving on from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport.
"Ricky's record speaks for itself. He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories. Ricky's contribution goes far beyond his batting statistics and his brilliant fielding.
"The example he sets in every respect and his extraordinarily positive influence in the dressing-room is acknowledged by all. He is held in the highest possible regard by his team-mates and there is no higher accolade than this."
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