By Gaurang
August 18 2009

Ricky Ponting has labled the upcoming fifth and deciding Ashes test match as the biggest of his career. Having played in 135 Tests, this is indeed a big statement. Is it just hype? or is there a reason that he thinks this is the match of his life?

Of course, a final and deciding Test in any series is highly anticipated.  Chennai in 2001 was just that, and so was Sydney in 2004.  Chennai lived up to the hype, and a sporting wicket produced a humdinger of a match that Ganguly’s Indians won by the skin of their teeth.  Sydney sadly didn’t.  Australia produced a flat pitch that allowed India’s brilliant middle order to become the first one to propel its team to a score over 700 runs against Australia in Australia, but Australia under Waugh still managed to wriggle off the hook and secure a draw.

What type of wicket awaits the teams at the Oval?  A flat pitch like the one Nasser Hussain’s England used to blunt a resurgent India in 2002? or a sporting wicket which helps both spin and reverse swing as well as rewards stroke play like the one last year when Kevin Pietersen's team beat South Africa on this ground? 

Despite brave talk about how he wants to purge the Ghosts of 2005, when the match was drawn, a drawn match here would suit Ponting just fine.  Ponting is under tremendous pressure to avoid the ignominy of joining old Billy Murdoch, and become the first Australian captain in living memory, i.e. since 1890 to lose two Ashes series in England.  That will surely be the thought that would be haunting Ponting’s nightmares.  And have no doubts about it, if he were to lose a second Ashes series in England, he would be tarred and feathered in his native land, and a lot of the gloss over his increasingly less impressive captaincy record would fade in an instant. 

Punter knows this well and no wonder he considers this a do or die match, and the biggest Test match of his life, i.e. his Last Stand.  His entire cricketing legacy as a Test captain rides on the result of this match.

Punter's Last Stand

Discussion started by Indian Cricket Fever (IP Logged), 18/08/2009 05:56

Indian Cricket Fever
18/08/2009 05:56

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Max
18/08/2009 06:36

Nice write-up there Gaurang. Ponting is only putting himself and his team under pressure by overhyping the deciding Test match. Now I can understand why many Aussie experts think he is a poor captain. Anyway good luck to him. This series however has been dull to watch for neutral fans. Both teams look ordinary. Bowling strength is similar, and Australia have a better batting lineup, which might make the difference.

India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!

Reply Quote Report

Meet_New_Mr_India
18/08/2009 07:27

With Clarke knocking doors after producing match saving innings more often than not Punter is @#$%& in his pants with the fear of losing captaincy.. He was never a good captain and I never liked him as a batsman even though his records might suggest something else. As Max suggested this is very low level of cricket played by both teams... I sincerely hope England wins the Ashes even though they don't deserve to win.. and most I wish is Punter can't cross double figures..

Reply Quote Report

Spirit of Cricket
18/08/2009 13:40

His rapid descent from grace has him worried about his future as captain, what with him being "rested" for T20 and part of the ODI series.

I would have thought Aus have "momentum" on their side after the last Test, and a couple of key players missing in England lineup, so I don't know what the big fuss is about. Perhaps he knows that Australia is very very likely to win this Test, so he's setting himself a "toughest" test which is very easy to pass.

Reply Quote Report

Birbal
18/08/2009 23:04

Anil, I was kinda thinking the same thing... Hype a sure thing... and then celebrate like crazy...

I will definitely pulling for England in this one...BIG TIME..

Reply Quote Report

bantu
19/08/2009 12:35

Personally I would like it to be a draw. so its 1-1 and australia just retains the ashes. Both England & Australia will have their foot planted firmly in the ground. Nobody gets bragging rights.....(none of the OBE,knighthood nonsense.........)

Reply Quote Report

Meet_New_Mr_India
21/08/2009 17:27

Aussie bundled out for 160.. Looks he indeed put too much pressure on himself and his teammates.. Very well he could be joining billy..

Reply Quote Report

Birbal
23/08/2009 23:09

Yup! He HAS joined Billy Murdoch as Two Time in England ASHES LOSING Cappo the first since 1890 Haaaahahahahahahaa..

Actually it is a REAL SHAME that Bucky GIFTED the Sydney Test against Kumble's India to Punter...allowing him to nominally MATCH Steve Waugh's 16 wins in a row... in reality he is NOWHERE near the captain Waugh was...

Reply Quote Report

Max
24/08/2009 06:41

Yes there is no doubt now that Ponting put his team under needless pressure by over-hyping the series decider. In contrast, Strauss was cool and measured in his pre-match comments. Without the legends Mcgrath, Hayden, Warne, and Gilly, Ponting has been exposed as a captain.

India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!

Reply Quote Report

Count Dooku
24/08/2009 11:05

Serve's him bluddy right to lose this series. Unfortunately, he won't be sacked - it seems he can do no wrong in the Aus selectors eyes.

Perhaps, they will sack him when he loses (or fails to regain) the Ashes in 4 years time.

Hate him to the core.

Reply Quote Report

Spirit of Cricket
24/08/2009 15:41

Let's see, this guy Punter:

1. Has discipline issues
2. Is a lousy captain
3. Has lost against many of the major teams of late (India, SA, even Eng)
4. Personal performance has plunged

Yet, he gets all this support?

WHY? A guy with his record would have been roasted alive if captaining India!

Reply Quote Report

Birbal
24/08/2009 21:54

Now Punter is talking about coming back in 2013 to try and win the Ashes...

That is just ridiculous... how old will he be then? 42?

Reply Quote Report

Count Dooku
25/08/2009 15:39

But Birbal - Allan Border played until 42. Plus Punter is Cricet Australia's darling.

Anil - you are absolutely right in your assesment of Punter to the core. You can add a cheater to that list.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net