Ricky Ponting Warns Cricket Australia Concerning Steve Smith's Captaincy Decision
Published - 23 Aug 2020, 09:05 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:33 AM
Australian batting star has undoubtedly made up for the unacceptable action of allowing to tamper with the ball in March 2018. That caused Steve Smith and mastermind of the plan to face ban for one year from competitive cricket while Cameron Bancroft, who tampered with the ball, was barred for nine months. As the right-handed batsman’s second stint as Australian captain remotely looms, Ricky Ponting has warned the board.
Since his return to international cricket in June 2019, Steve Smith has reigned supreme across formats. The New South Wales-born played a massive role in Australia retaining the Ashes in England last year. When speaking of captaincy, Cricket Australia stated that Smith becomes eligible for captaincy one year after returning to top-level cricket. With Tim Paine, who is 36 now, there indeed remains an opportunity for the 31-year old to take charge of the Test team.
Ricky Ponting stated that if Cricket Australia thinks he would have never cheated again, they would have put a black line through his name right from the beginning. Nevertheless, the board has left that option open. Ponting added that if Cricket Australia assumes that Smith can be captain again without considering the sentiments of the Australian public, that would be a disaster.
“If Cricket Australia had thought he would have never done it again, they would have put a black line through his name right from the start, but they’ve left that option open. It’ll be if the Australian public are willing to allow him to come back and be captain again, because if Cricket Australia made that announcement that he’s going to be captain and it didn’t sit well with the public, then it’ll be an absolute disaster,” Ricky Ponting told news.com.au.
“I’m sure they’ll have their hand up, as will Perth and Brisbane” : Ricky Ponting
Australia’s highest run-getter in Test and ODI cricket opined on the potential change of venue for the Boxing Day Test later this year. With Melbourne witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, it remains doubtful whether it can stage the historic match against India. Ricky Ponting stated that all the venues are different and terrific in their way and the likes of Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide will put their hands up. At the same time, he hopes for the situation to ease in Victoria to make the game possible.
“All the venues around Australia are brilliant, and they’re all unique in their own different way. Adelaide is one of the best places that I’ve been to watch or play cricket, certainly over the last 4-5 years since they’ve renovated the stadium. I’m sure they’ll have their hand up, as will Perth and Brisbane. Everyone will be throwing their hat in the ring. I just hope that things have improved enough in Victoria that it doesn’t move,” the two-time World Cup-winning skipper added.
