Ponting returns home

[R W S]

Ricky Ponting has a fractured thumb feilding at slip during the semifinal defeat in the ICCCT. He will be unavailble for the start of the Aussie tour to India. How does this affect the balance of power in Border/Gavaskar trophy and who will replace him as a batsman and who will skipper the side?

further details here

[Ernest]

Good question RW, he may not have the side other Austraian captains have had, but he showed against Shri Lanka, he knew how to get the most out of a team.
bad luck.

[flanflinger]

Gilchrist as V/C will skipper the side... As he did when he was last out of the team. Elliott replaced him on that occasion as the extra batter

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_datab...05JUL2004.html


However, he had a shocker in that game so, and is not in the squad...I would say guess they will move Martyn up the order, bring Katich up to 5, which will mean space for Clarke to make his Debut

Langer
Hayden
Martyn
Lehmann
Katich
Clarke
Gilchrist- Cpt
Warne
Gillespie
Kasporwicz/Hauritz
McGrath

[R W S]

According to Cricinfo

Ponting's replacement in the 16-man squad is yet to be named, and the position of captain will also be reviewed in his absence.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by BBC

Adam Gilchrist is likely to lead the side in Ponting's absence

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/3680522.stm

[R W S]

I saw that also. I agree that the reason for having a v/c is that he can standin when required which is why i was surprised that the decision on who will skipper the side in Ricky's absence was to be reviewed.

As a side note I see that Pontings highest score in India in a meagre 60! Incredible for a man who is the best opener /top order bat of his generation and averages over 55. He has played seven innings for an aggregate of 149 at an average of 12.41!

[NZBeth]

As a side note I see that Pontings highest score in India in a meagre 60! Incredible for a man who is the best opener /top order bat of his generation and averages over 55. He has played seven innings for an aggregate of 149 at an average of 12.41![/quote]
I was just about to say something along these lines. I doubt his absence will be felt

[Nikhil]

Ponting was OK in SL. But, I think his captaincy might be missed if not his batting. He's a hardcore fighter (even in the literal sense ). But, since the Aussies are such a well-oiled machine, I think these are minor hickup for them and they should be fine with Gilchrist as captain and Warne his deputy.

Now, who will replace him? I hope it's not Clarke and they get in some one like Elliot. I rate Clarke very highly and he may do well in India with his nimble footwork and good eyes and I want India to win ofcourse .

[Big Merv]

Martin Love is the forgotten man. He deserves to be in the team before Matthew Elliott IMO.

[Occasional Fan]

Brad Hodge is the replacement. Gilchrist is the replacement captain.

BBC report here.