Ricky Ponting

[sanketh84]

What is going on with him nowadays? I'm just shocked and surprised with how he's playing considering he is the best batsman in the last few years. Do u guys think its a temporary slump in form, off-field issues, fitness issues(i know he's had a chronic back problem), or some technical flaw? knowing the aussie selection policies, how much longer will they give him if his poor run continues? I do know that the aussie selection is way more harsher than any where else in the world. He looked completely out of sorts against SL today before they ended his misery when he wanted a poorly judged single.

[greg]

He has struggled ever since that bust up against India,no doubt he will get his form back sometime soon but maybe he has lost a little focus at present after all the stick he got in the press.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by sanketh84

What is going on with him nowadays? I'm just shocked and surprised with how he's playing considering he is the best batsman in the last few years.

He's had similar form slumps in the past too. But the guy is a champion, and you cannot keep champions down for long

Originally Posted by sanketh84

Do u guys think its a temporary slump in form, off-field issues, fitness issues(i know he's had a chronic back problem), or some technical flaw?

Yes. A bit of all of the above

Originally Posted by sanketh84

knowing the aussie selection policies, how much longer will they give him if his poor run continues?

A year or two. He is the captain of a team that is winning, so there is not a chance that they will drop him. Nor should they.

Originally Posted by sanketh84

I do know that the aussie selection is way more harsher than any where else in the world.

Who has been harshly dropped in the last ten years? Damian Martyn after the 2005 Ashes debacle maybe. Apart from that, you would have to go back as far a Ian Healy probably. There is a saying in Australian cricket - it's harder to get in to the Australian team than it is to get out of it.

[Warne]

Technically speaking, his shuffle has been a cause of concern, especially while negotiating with swing. But that's something which has been a feature of his game from the beginning & didn't stop him from scoring that many runs.

I believe the real issue is focus, because of a number of off-the-field things & the kind of standard the man has set in the last 4-5 years, even a temporary slump seems to be alarming. The guy will get over it soon.

[Aurelius]

Do u guys think its a temporary slump in form, off-field issues, fitness issues(i know he's had a chronic back problem), or some technical flaw?

A technical flaw. Warne already mentioned his shuffle around the crease, which is a problem; he also angles his bat towards cover when completing his shots, causing him to "scoop" the ball slightly. On top of this, he doesn't play with a straight bat- rather, it comes down in an arc from first slip to mid-on, making it a lot harder for him to time it properly.

I think the ultimate evidence that he suffers from a technical weakness is that he got out in virtually identical faction five times in a row, and almost got out in the same fashion today. On top of this, since he started his amazing streak in the 2001 season (since when he's averaged 70+; prior to this he averaged 44), he has faced only two real bowling attacks, that have been capable of bowling a consistent line and length to a man, and following a set plan. Those two attacks have been the Indian attack this year, and the England attack in 2005. In the first series, he averaged 38; in the second, 39. I think this goes to show that if he's faced with an attack that has the patience, skill and awareness to exploit his technical flaws, then he can be brought back to ground a bit.

Saying that, I still think he's an amazing batsman who's real strength is his great reflexes; all I'm saying is that IMO he's vulnerable to sustained line-and-length style bowling that can reduce his effectiveness, and if other countries start learning from the Indians and Sri Lankans, then he'll likely experience more difficulties.

[sanketh84]

ur probably right aurelius and when u say that...i also realized what ian chappell was saying that he was making an effort to have his front foot pointed towards covers whereas in the previous matches he was angling his foot straight down the ground which makes his hip swivel and play that back and across shot.

[Warne]

A good comeback, seemed to be playing the ball a bit late today, also there seemed a very subtle change in his stance. That on-drive of Sreesanth(or was it Ishant Sharma?) was sweet on the eyes.

Loved Hayden's reaction when he reached the hundred.

[sanketh84]

he was back big time.... what a knock by ponting.... just proves a champion cant be kept quiet for very long,he sorted out his issues... this thread is as good as closed.

[Aurelius]

Interestingly though, he could have been out for a duck in that innings, in the same manner as his previous dismissals. So my message to the Indian bowlers is- don't give up, you can still exploit his technique, you can still reign him in and dismiss him cheaply. However, give him an inch and he'll take a yard, so be on your game right from ball one.

[shane'o]

ricky has been a bit down but after the 124 he sure has come back in style