Ponting superior to Waugh as skipper: Chappell by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	IM Chappell, RT Ponting
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 23rd August 2009

 

Former Australian stalwart ranked Ricky Ponting as a superior skipper than his predecessor Steve Waugh and said he is still the best to lead Australia in Tests.

 

Chappell blamed the selectors for picking an all-pace attack for the unresponsive pitch at The Oval and said that blaming Ponting for the debacle would be barking up the wrong tree.

 

"Not only did they (selectors) handcuff Ponting at The Oval with four pacemen on a palpably dry pitch, but they also, once again, resorted to the failed ploy of expecting part-time spinners to do a specialist task. This is a crime punishable by demotion," he wrote in his 'The Daily Telegraph' column.

 

"Good selectors protect the captain from himself on the occasions when he requires that insulation. If Ponting clamoured for an all-seam attack at The Oval the selectors should have been strong enough and wise enough to advise otherwise," he explained.

 

"Ponting has many critics when it comes to his captaincy style. However, those pundits should realise the easy part is sacking a captain. The hard part is to find someone who will do the job more efficiently," Chappell continued.

 

"There is no doubt Ponting is still the best man to captain the Test side and that's not just because a demotion would risk robbing the side of its best batsman," he said.

 

"Now is not the right time for Australia to start thinking about a new captain. What is needed is a selection panel that has the vision to unearth young players with the skill and nerve for the long haul? and the good sense to choose a balanced attack and then let Ponting lead the way."

 

"Despite results suggesting otherwise, Ponting is a superior captain to his predecessor, Steve Waugh. Ponting never runs out of ideas in the field, whereas Waugh, even with a more experienced and varied attack, was often devoid of inspiration on the few occasions when his captaincy was really tested," he said.