Sydney, August 27: On arriving home yesterday, Ricky Ponting expressed his desire to continue as Australia’s captain. Crestfallen, bruised and defeated he might have been but his declaration should have made England afraid. Very afraid.
Last time Ponting lost an Ashes series 2-1 he spent the next 18 months silently, broodingly plotting his revenge. The result was Australia 5, England 0, the first Ashes whitewash for 85 years which led to the departure of a coach and an overhaul of the system.
Ponting, his lip bearing the scar after being hit by the ball while fielding at The Oval on Saturday, said: “I still think I’ve got a lot to offer the team as a batsman and as a captain and a leader. If it ends up getting to the point where I’m not the captain, my hunger and determination to keep playing this game are as as good as ever.
–Agencies