Ponting dropped from Australia's ODI squad

Cricket

Ponting dropped from Australia's ODI squad

Close

Ponting scored 18 runs at an average of 3.6 in five innings in the series.

20 February,2012 12:04 pm

Ricky Pontings limited-overs international career could be over after selectors dropped the dual World Cup-winning captain from Australias squad for this weeks tri-series matches against India and Sri Lanka.The 37-year-old Ponting scored 18 runs at an average of 3.6 in five innings in the series the worst sequence in his 375-game ODI career.He took 13 balls to get off the mark in Sundays win over India, and scored a scratchy seven runs from 26 balls. Ponting has always been determined to go out on his own terms having proven his worth in test matches with a return to form in the 4-0 sweep of India this season amid constant criticism of his continued selection.But selectors took the decision out of his hands in terms of the ODI arena on Monday, only hours after Ponting declared he wouldnt offer to take a rest because he wanted to play his way back into form.Ponting quit as captain after Australias World Cup quarterfinal loss to India last March but returned to the job briefly last week because his successor, Michael Clarke, was sidelined with a hamstring strain.But with Clarke and vice-captain Shane Watson coming back into the squad for this weeks matches, selectors couldnt find room in the 13-man squad for Ponting.Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the squad due to his lack of form in the five (tri-series) matches to date, chief selector John Inverarity said. The team will not seem the same without him, but moving on from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport.Ponting averages 42 in 375 ODIs dating back to 1995. He guided Australia to World Cup titles in 2003, including his imperious 140 in the final against India, and in the West Indies in 2007. He was also part of Steve Waughs winning squad in 1999.He was in charge in the last edition, shrugging off hot debate about his form and his tenure as captain and hit a career-salving 104 in the quarterfinal loss to eventual champion India.Rickys record speaks for itself. He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories, Inverarity said. Rickys contribution goes far beyond his batting statistics and his brilliant fielding.The example he sets in every respect and his extraordinarily positive influence in the dressing room is acknowledged by all. He is held in the highest possible regard by his teammates and there is no higher accolade than this.Along with returns for Clarke and Watson, who has been sidelined since November, selectors recalled paceman Ryan Harris at the expense of left-armer Mitchell Starc and opted to stick with Matthew Wade as wicketkeeper at the expense of veteran Brad Haddin. Haddin, who was vice-captain in the test series win over India last month, hasnt played at all in the tri-series.