Do Australia rely on Ponting?

[SciD]

For most of his career Sachin Tendulkar was carrying Indian team on his shoulders and Indian public used to switch off TV sets once he got out. The things changed when Dravid and Ganguly came into side though and now its not atall the case.

But seeing performances of Australia throughout the summer, it looks like Australia depend on Ponting to fire at top. If hes failing they dont manage the scores they were posting earlier. Ponting had averaged close to 70 in test matches and above 50 in ODIs in last 5 years of international cricket. This time though it was diffrent story.

What do you think?

 

[punterpupnroy]

Well we did, but i guess we don't now a days. Well i personally more rely on players like Hussey or Hayden to help us over the line. Because our top order is terrible at the moment.

 

[karnog]

I think post World cup Australia have needed him to fire. Personally now the skill level has come closer (at least india but i'm sure SA can replicate india's performance if not better). To me i think Symonds bats too high and with the top order failing his quick fire 40s and 50s are not as useful as they would've been. Hayden has been hot and cold despite his consecutive 50s. In one game he's really slaved to get their or otherwise he breezes through. I think its a collective failure and often a captain's confidence reflects in the team behaviour. I really think Jacques should've been given a go considering he's fresh in the SL game.

 

[jordox]

No, Australia dominated in all games bar a few in the series without much of a Ponting contribution.

Australia rely on good batting. They are the best team in the world, if Ponting gets out that leaves Hayden, Clarke, Symonds, Hussey and co, who are all capable of scoring 100s.

 

[angryangy]

Every ODI team depends on its top order, that's why England are terrible.

Throughout the summer, Hayden and Gilchrist have been doing a reasonable effort, but probably needed to build more partnerships rather than firing in tandem. I've already mentioned that lack of rotation in such an experienced team can really only lead the side to stagnate, where in the last couple of years, players such Cosgrove, Jaques, Haddin and Watson have been useful without really holding a spot. It seems like "resting" a player on a run of low scores is too much like "dropping" him, which "looks" bad.

The horse's mouth itself is talking of more breaks, noting that the ODI team lacks specialists. However, they're not suggesting that in a climate of increasing calendar congestion, the squads need to be looked at in a different light. Players such as Clark and Johnson have been persisted with in the ODI side, but players such as Hilfenhaus have been at their disposal if they ever need to introduce new members to the XI. In fact, they had Hilfenhaus tour to South Africa and then India, two months in which he only played a single T20 at the end. Decisions such as this seem very deliberate and it would suggest they have been actively trying to make the Test and ODI team similar.

In terms of the team as is (or was, considering retirements), I really can't see why Mike Hussey is not the number 4. Clarke continues to show us that he doesn't always know where his stumps are and while he is otherwise one of the top batsman, which one would you rather bat for your life?

 

[gillyhuss'n'roy]

I think Australia rely way to much on Huss.
When i was watching the cricket the other day even the commentators said the Aussies rely way to much on him.

 

[0601731]

they do depend on ponting and nothing worng with it as he is one of the best batsmen in the world today.

 

[iloveireland]

No they dont. They have players like Hussey, Clarke, Symonds etc etc who can take the reigns if he doesnt preform

 

[aussie_ben91]

Nah, but his the difference between Australia just getting over the line and Australia absolutely mauling an opposition.

 

[irottev]

They probably do nowadays.

I dunno what the option Andrew Symonds means, but I went for it lol.

 

[Cricketdude]

They probably do nowadays.

I dunno what the option Andrew Symonds means, but I went for it lol.

Same lol.

 

[mattfb]

this shows how much aus team dependent on ponting, Clarke, Symonds for bribing umpires Link Removed

You guys need to stop complaining all the time.

 

[prarara]

I think that Ponting's attitude on the field and his character is something that the Australians rely upon. If he fires, they definitely do well.

 

[icyman]

I think they rely more on Matthew Hayden.We saw in the CB Series,Aus lost all games in which Haydos did not play.[bar the finals]

 

[ivanvdm15]

well recently they relied more on Symonds, Hussey , Hogg, and Clarke.....