The triangular series has moved to this charming island and Tasmania's favourite son is not part of the side. There is an unmistakable sense of disappointment here.
Despite the enormity of the decision, c
aptain Michael Clarke was not willing to duck the probing questions and took full responsibility for Ricky Ponting being dropped from the Australian ODI side.
“I am one hundred per cent part of the selection panel. That's now a part of the captain's job. The decision was taken by the entire panel,” Clarke said. The focus on the 2015 World Cup was a prominent reason for Ponting being left out, he explained.
Clarke revealed that the captain, even if not part of a selection panel, always played a prominent role in the picking or omission of a player. “I remember getting dropped after a Test in the West Indies and it was Punter (Ponting) who came up to me and said I was not selected. There is nothing personal about Ponting being dropped now. I am confident about our friendship. We have been great friends over the years.”
The Australian captain said Ponting would continue playing Test cricket and hoped for some great performances from the outstanding batsman.
Clarke confessed he would miss Ponting in the ODI arena. “I have played in plenty of one-dayers with him and it's going to be weird when I look around the field and not see Ponting standing somewhere. I will have to get over that.”
The Australian captain conceded the team would be lesser without the experience, knowledge, greatness and the company of Ponting in the ODI format. “He had enormous influence on the team,” added Clarke.
On the ‘Mankaded' issue
On India withdrawing its appeal against Sri Lankan batsman Lahiru Thirimanne after he was ‘Mankaded' by India's Ravichandran Ashwin at the 'Gabba, Clarke said, “That's a part of the game I do not like. I don't think a batsman should be ‘Mankaded.'
He also said, “But if a batsman is going to be a long way out of the crease, then you would hope that he would stay in once he is warned by the opposing captain and the bowler. If he continues to do that, then it is in the rules that he can be dismissed in that fashion.”
Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said he had spoken to Thirimanne after the game. “I think he was a bit on the wrong side as well. He can take a start but it is when and where he is leaving the crease that is possibly unfair. I think he can hold himself back and then take a start. He is still young will understand the rules better and learn from the experience.”
Jayawardene said Sri Lanka has done well to come back in the competition. “I think we have shown a lot of fight. I hope we keep doing the right things and play the key moments better than the opposition. There is a lot of ability in this side.”
