Cricket round-up: Ricky Ponting dropped from ODI squad

Ricky Ponting

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the one-day international side for the first time in his 17-year career.

The veteran batsman stood down as both Test and one-day skipper in 2011 after seven years leading the side, which included two World Cup wins, but over the last 18 months has suffered a serious downturn in form.

Only a month ago, Ponting recovered from a two-year period without a century of runs to bat Australia to victory against India, but had struggled once again in the on-going Commonwealth Bank series with India and Sri Lanka.

The 37-year-old was made captain for Australia’s fifth match of the series in Brisbane on Sunday in the absence of his injured successor Michael Clarke, and led the side to a 110-run win over India. However, Ponting managed just seven runs with the bat himself – his highest score of a tri-series in which he has a combined total of just 18 runs in five matches.

“Ricky has been dropped due to his lack of form in this series,” confirmed national selector John Inverarity. “He'll consider his future over the next couple of days. We hope he remains available for Test match cricket.”

“Ricky being prepared to take over the captaincy in Clarke's recent absence for the sake of the team is yet another example of his selfless attitude and team-first focus,” Inverarity added to BBC Sport.

Of the man who has scored 13, 704 runs in 375 one-day games, including 30 centuries, Inverarity added: “Ricky's record speaks for itself. He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories.

“Ricky's contribution goes far beyond his batting statistics and his brilliant fielding. The example he sets in every respect and his extraordinarily positive influence in the dressing room is acknowledged by all. He is held in the highest possible regard by his team-mates and there is no higher accolade than this.”

Lyall Thomas

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