Ponting's form is crucial for Australia

Make this my Homepage | Advertise with us

Sports Calender

Create your world with sifymail
Login | Register

| Cricket Scorecards

Comments |

Share |

Print | Rate

COLUMNS

Ponting's form is crucial for Australia

Sunil Gavaskar | 2009-07-26 14:58:13

Englands win in the second Test at Lords has given their chances of regaining the Ashes a big boost. It was truly remarkable for them to have come back after the near defeat in the first Test to win the second in such a comprehensive manner.

The skippers had contrasting performances in the Test and that had a big effect on the final result. Andrew Strauss got a big hundred and also took a couple of catches while Ricky Ponting failed in both the innings.

I can't tolerate SRK insulting Gavaskar: Miandad

Despite Australia scoring over 400 runs in the second innings they were unable to stave off defeat and that tells you how crucial it is for Australia to have Ponting get runs. When he got a century in the first Test Australia got over 600 runs and almost won the Test. His captaincy may not be universally admired especially by some former Australian players, but his batting is the fulcrum for Australia's success as has been proven over the years.

Strauss also has the good fortune to be having a player of Andrew Flintoff's class in his team and though the big burly all rounder was likened to a second hand car by a former teammate and England skipper, his bowling on the final morning of the Lords Test was inspirational stuff. He bowled in excess of 90 mph for more than an hour. Not bad for a second hand car, is it?

Ganguly captain, Wright coach of KKR in 2010: Source

In the West Indies the troubles between the players and the administrators may have just been sorted, but in the interim the West Indies lost both the Tests to Bangladesh. The full strength West Indies team is hardly a big threat in modern day cricket so it was no surprise that the second team was beaten by a team that has struggled to last the distance in the past.

Bangladesh won both Tests and it is the kind of performance that will give the game a much-needed boost in that cricket mad country. They did that despite losing the services of their captain Mashrafe Mortaza in the middle of the first Test itself. They have some good young players and this win will give them the self-belief that is sometimes lacking in their team.

Full Coverage: The Ashes 2009

Shakib Hassan is one of their premier all-rounders and it was he who made sure that in a low scoring Test Bangladesh did not throw away their lead and helped them to win the second Test too. He is this week's CEAT International Cricketer of the Week.

Professional Management Group

All about: Ponting, Ashes, Top news, PMG

Comments |

Share |

Print | Rate

More Headlines