Cricket: Clock ticking for Ponting, says Aussie coach

Arthur reminds former captain to ‘start producing the goods’.

MELBOURNE: Ricky Ponting’s international future could be in doubt if he fails to score regardless of the former captain’s standing in the game, according to Australia coach Mickey Arthur.               

Australia play the first Test of their series against India on December 26 with the debate over the out-of-form batsman’s place polarising the nation. Arthur said Ponting, the game’s most successful captain and third most prolific run-scorer in Tests, could not rest on his reputation or his value as a mentor to Australia’s next generation.

“I don’t think anyone’s guaranteed a start,” said Arthur. “Ponting is really vital to where we want to take this team. We’re hoping that he finds his form and hopefully that form is just around the corner.

“I’ve backed Ponting and Michael Hussey because they’re crucial to the team’s development, but they need to keep giving us ammunition and performances.

“Nobody’s got a privilege to play for Australian. They’ve got to be producing the goods and giving us ammunition to play.”

Cowan presses for Test spot

Meanwhile, opener Ed Cowan staked a claim for selection for the first Test with a century for the Chairman’s XI against India.

Cowan scored 109 while incumbent Test opener Phillip Hughes failed again with 20. At close of day two of the three-day game, the Chairman’s XI were 215 for seven in response to India’s 269. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up four for 52.

Earlier, Virat Kohli converted his overnight half-century to 132, which alone accounted for almost half of the tourists’ first-innings total.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2011.