Well argue it with a statistics professor. He'll say that 20 samples is pretty weak evidence. With 20 samples, you have an approximate error of 20-25% in your findings. So I could argue with statistics that Ponting's real average could be as high as 40 in T20Is. But that would be stupid with that amount of error built in. Just because everyone else has the same sample doesn't make it a good sample.
A load of crap. Considering the total population of T20I matches that have been played, 20 is more than adequate sample to judge a player. And we are not just looking at those 20 matches, but also the other T20 domestic matches played by Ponting, in which he has done nothing to change my opinion about him. Sorry pal, better argument next time.
You're proving my point buddy. Yes every international player has to deal with the lacklustre one-off scheduling of T20Is and as a result 80-90% of players have a worse international record than domestic record because of it. Look at Dhoni's record in T20Is and then in the IPL. Whopping difference. Why? Because T20Is are much harder to prepare for due to the scheduling and because you face tougher bowlers. Suddenly Ponting's T20I record is starting to look pretty good. And it's not just Dhoni, look at Sehwag or Gambhir - they've got very similar records if you only look at T20Is. But no wait, what's this? Ponting's T20I record is better than Sehwag AND Gambhir. No that's impossible it can't be true, he's a T20 shmuck and Sehwag and Gambhir are T20 gods...
Why? Because Ponting has a god given right to be great in whatever he plays? Chill of and come of your high horses mate. Ponting is a shmuck player, Tendulkar is an average T20 player while Dhoni, Yuvraj, Gambhir are excellent T20 players. It is a fact, and holds nothing against their true values as world class test or ODI batsmen. It's just that they have found it difficult to adapt to this form.
And I can only laugh at your stupid inference that IPL and T20 Internationals vary vastly in terms of quality. I would rather go ahead and say IPL equals if not exceeds a normal T20 International in terms of quality. Anyway the records of Ponting in the IPL are there to be seen by all.
Yep I watched pretty much every ball of IPL 2008 and certainly saw all of Ponting's innings. He was awful I agree. But it doesn't mean much. Everyone has bad runs as I tried to point out, and his record in T20Is (not to mention ODIs) shows what he might be able to do if given an extended run in the IPL. But if you want to say, nah his 4 IPL games are far more important in determining his quality than his 15 T20Is be my guest.
Considering that he has done absolutely nothing, nothing, to prove that he could be a good IPL player or a T20 player in those 4 matches and chickened out of this year's IPL, the answer is simple, and by elimination clear, he is a shmuck T20 player. And he has had all of 2 good innings in his 20 match T20I career. A clear indicator of his inability at this level.
And to suggest he's scared of going to the IPL is ridiculous. So he's scared to earn a good lump of cash? No he's resting his wrist (and body) ahead of the Ashes - which is far more important than protecting his record in a make belief tournament for Indian juniors. Nah that's a bit harsh, I like the IPL, but it's got NOTHING on the Ashes. As for him possibly being forced to sit out due to his alleged ineptness, you forget who coaches KKR. John Buchanan would be itching to get Ponting into that team. Firstly it would give them a real captain, someone Buck trusts and secondly he's a pretty handy batsman too.
A make belief tournament for Indian juniors? You are kidding yourself here. Because then, your own icon players like Symonds, Gilly, Hayden etc couldnt wait to participate in the IPL. Oh yeah, there is the small matter of Ravi Bopara praising his stint in the IPL for his maiden test 100. You can continue to make yourself comfortable in your thick blanket assuming Ashes continue to be the premier competition in the world. By popularity and by following, unfortunately they are not. And tradition is something that is the last resort of the desperate. I love and am looking forward to the Ashes, because it is a test series, and I love tests. But I don't consider them to be in a scale that betters the marketability or following or competition of a Border Gavaskar Trophy.
I digress, sorry. Ponting was certain to be benched even if he had pledged to take part in IPL 2008. Chris Gayle, McCullum, Hodge are all better T20 players than this fellow and finally that's all what matters. Ponting knew this, and chickened out excusing rest and all that. There are players who have played far more cricket than Ponting during this period, look at Tendulkar, Dhoni etc. So don't give me the rest, and rejuvenation excuse.
Totally agree with you. Except for the shmuck T20 player comment
CA shouldn't let ANY of their Ashes squad compete in the T20 World Cup. Only exception would be if the physio wants Brett Lee to get some bowling or something like that. Otherwise, build a new squad of keen younger players. Australia has been pretty stubborn with it's adoption of T20 and before almost every T20I match they play you hear the players make comments about how the format has potential or how it could be big in the future. They just don't see the need to change anything NOW. But even that attitude has changed some after some of the squad members came back from the IPL and saw the fanaticism and popularity of the format. But it hasn't changed the Aussie tactics much. They pick the same players, keep the same batting order basically and just rely on talent to win. Worked OK last time, but not good enough to win the WC, and it probably won't be good enough this time either. Something needs to change.
Ashes is still months away and a month long stint in a T20 tournament is not going to hurt the average player in his preparations. You talk as if Ashes are the end of the world. They are not. Once you start giving more than adequate importance to these, doubts creep in about your own performances, resulting in the fall like the one that happened to Hayden. It is pretty obvious that Australia is yet to take the world of T20Is seriously which is reflecting on their performances.
I agree with you about Hayden's concentration, but don't see how Ponting would be any different. Once Ponting retires, like Hayden has, he would have plenty of time to relax and prepare for a once a year tournament. Surely that would only help him, instead of trying to jam in a few games between international tours.
Ponting's body is not the same as Hayden's who can still put in a mile long swim in the ocean without panting. That showed in the IPL this year. Ponting's body is inevitably giving in after years of toil. It can be argued that Ponting can become better post retirement in T20s. But what people forget is that Hayden was already a legendary performer in T20s ever since inception. He is cut out for the format. Sadly Ponting is not.
And yes, Hayden's retirement did cover all formats, except backyard cricket. It's unlikely he'd want to be away from his family for another month for the World Cup. Same with Gilchrist or Warne. Sure they could be asked by the selectors, but I think it would be a tough sell.
Precisely why Australian Board is so confused when it comes to T20. They could have coaxed these champion players to make a final bow in the World Cup, as it won't take more than 3 weeks or so of touring, which they really won't mind I am sure. And I don't think the champions in them could really say NO to the offer of being in Aussie colors one last time, especially when they feel they are wanted.
