Matthew Hayden terms Ponting's ODI axe as disgraceful - Cricket News Update
Former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden has slammed the national selectors for axing Ricky Ponting from the ODI squad.
After failing to perform in the last five matches of the ongoing triangular Commonwealth Bank series, the out of form veteran Australian batsman and former skipper Ricky Ponting is unlikely to feature for the remainder of the tri-series. The Tasmanian fell
for single digit scores in the last five innings, compiling just 18 runs at an average of 3.60.
Following Ponting’s poor run of form, the selectors are unlikely to give him another chance at least in the ongoing tri-series. Hayden, however, feels the Tasmanian does not deserve such a treatment and has termed the national selectors decision as ‘disgraceful’.
"It was disgraceful treatment of our modern-day Bradman,” said Hayden speaking to the media reporters on Wednesday.
“I feel speechless. The logic that (Ponting) was left out so we can prepare for the next World Cup is just lost on me. It just looks as if he is being pushed further and further away from the team and I don't understand why. We should be celebrating the
fact that he is still around and available to play," he added further.
Ricky Ponting, is one of the most successful ODI captains of all times. He is currently going through the worst phase of his career. He not only lost the captaincy last year following the team’s dismal performances in the Ashes series and then in the ICC
World Cup 2011. On top of that, his position in the side has also been questioned continuously by former players and pundits.
Since he stepped down from the captaincy in April last year, there have been growing calls for his retirement, but the 37-year-old Tasmanian batsman kept turning down those calls, claiming he still has a lot to offer to Australian cricket.
His form last year touched an all time low, before he regained some form against New Zealand in Brisbane by scoring a valiant half-century. He carried on the momentum in the Test series against India, averaging 108.80 in the four-match series, scoring 544
runs, which included two centuries and three half centuries in six innings.