Mumbai: Greatness if associated with a person, never takes the way out. Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, after stepping down as the head coach of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is game, if given an opportunity to be involved with the national team either as the head coach or as chairman of selectors.
Following a string of dismal results where Australia has lost an ODI series 0-5 and a Test series to South Africa at home, the Chairman of selectors Rodney Marsh has put in his papers. Though another selector John Hohns has replaced Marsh as the interim Chairman, Greg Chappell (Let’s not forget his stint with the Indian cricket team) has taken the role of an interim selector.
“I’d consider it and have a think about it. I’ve said to Cricket
Australia (CA) from the moment I’ve finished I’m happy to get involved somewhere and help out where I can. Full-time coaching roles for me are something that we need to work through and talk about,” Ponting was quoted by Australian Associated Press (AAP).
There were stories doing the rounds that Ponting or Steve Waugh might take up the role as Chairman soon. The appointment of Mahela Jaywardene as the head coach of Mumbai Indians after Ponting completed his tenure with the team and the tweets from his former teammates Jason Gillespie and Damian Martyn further fuelled the rumours.
Ponting has a list of merits and awards to his credit, which make him the perfect candidate for the job. He was in the World Cup winning team of 1999 and was the Captain of the World Cup winning Australian sides of 2003 and 2007. He packs a vast experience with him having played 168 Tests, 375 ODIs and 17 T20 Internationals for Australia. He has been involved in a range of of roles ever since his retirement from international cricket in 2012.
Reports say that he played a major role in the appointment of Darren Lehmann in place of Mickey Arthur as the Australian coach in 2013. But does he have the acumen to impress the authorities of CA?