Ponting to miss IPL 2009 by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

RT Ponting

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DateLine: 20th February 2009

 

Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, has decided to skip the 2009 season of the IPL because of his country's packed international schedule. Ponting felt he wouldn't be able to give his all for his country if he used his two-week break from national duty to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Australia are currently in South Africa where they are scheduled to play three Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and five ODIs. This series comes soon after the end of the Australian summer, during which the team played home Test and ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand. The Australian selectors wanted Ponting to take a break during the five-ODI series against New Zealand but he returned to the squad after Australia conceded a 2-0 lead to the visitors.

 

After the tour of South Africa ends in April, Australia are scheduled to play an ODI series against Pakistan, following which is the two-week gap when Australia's players are expected to be available for the IPL. However, the itinerary is packed after the break with the ICC World Twenty20 in England followed by the Ashes, ODIs in England, a bilateral series in India, a Test series against Pakistan and the Australian summer.

 

Joy Bhattacharya, Kolkata's team director, confirmed the franchise will seek a replacement.

 

Ponting is the third high-profile Australian to miss the 2009 season of the IPL after fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and vice-captain Michael Clarke, both of whom did not take part in the inaugural season either.