The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Warne urges Australians not to vilify Ponting

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 13, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Warne urges Australians not to vilify Ponting

Melbourne: Spin legend Shane Warne has urged the Australian public not to vilify Ricky Ponting but admitted he too was surprised by some of the skipper’s decisions during the 0-2 Test series defeat to India.

“His tactics surprised me — and everyone else — because he is naturally an attacker. The reason he is under pressure is it looked like he put himself in front of the team and this just isn’t Punter,” Warne said.

“Having played with him for a long time, he was one of the guys that put the team first — always. If it meant throwing his wicket away in the chase for quick runs, he would do that. And there have been previous captains who would not, the leg-spin great wrote in his column in the Herald Sun.

“I just think he got it wrong this time and I’m sure he will be a better captain for the experience. Let’s not hang him. Let’s encourage him and support him. I think the Kiwis are going to feel the wrath of the Australian team and, in particular, the skipper next week,”

“Hopefully, Ricky understands where everyone’s criticism is coming from, takes it on board and does not wipe people. I’m sure if he thinks it through, he could do worse than ask Ian Chappell or Allan Border out for dinner and chat about it and he might just pick up something.”

Warne also had some tips to offer about the high-pressure job of leading a team.

“Captaincy is about getting the best out of your players and understanding what makes them tick — when to give them a rocket and when to throw an arm around them and make them feel important. This comes from understanding your player and which strategy to use.”

And in this, Warne considers Mark Taylor as the master. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport