Ricky Ponting: Captain Tantrum

There was certainly a lot of chirping going on during Pietersen's innings against Australia. In fact, Ricky Ponting has revealed he ordered his players not to sledge Pietersen then ignored his own advice:

"Pietersen's name came up at a team meeting and I had got the feeling that he is a little like Tugga (Steve Waugh), Matty Hayden and Brian Lara, in that when you have a go at them it makes them play better ... they enjoy it. I actually said to the team, 'If he starts something, let him go'. But as soon as he started, I could not help myself. I jumped all over the top of him. It wasn't great leadership as far as I was concerned. But I am not sorry I did it.

He had a go at McGrath about the broken rib. Pietersen said at the time he could not believe McGrath could bowl fast enough to break his rib and he started on about that yesterday. When McGrath bowled to him, Pietersen said something back and I said, 'Hang on, it was only a few weeks ago his pace was good enough to break your ribs'. It was written up that I said it would be nice if we broke his rib again. He brought that up on the field. It went back and forth but it was not something that was too over the top. He was disappointed what I said about his rib. There was a bit going on in that game. There always is when Australia and England play. It was all pretty light-hearted stuff. It is going to happen on the field. He enjoys it and a few of our guys don't mind it as well."

I don't mind Aussies sledging Pietersen (see my own thoughts on sledging). But what concerns me is Ponting's lack of self control. Allan Border is famously known as Captain Grumpy for the surly way he dealt with the English during the 88 Ashes. But it was all a calculated ploy to remove chumminess between the sides and add a steely resolve to the Australian squad. The tactic worked a charm, ushering in a golden age for Australian cricket and his legacy still lives on today.

Ponting is no Captain Grumpy - if anything, he's a Captain Tantrum. He spits the dummy at the slightest provocation as evidenced by his numerous public outbursts and censures from match referees. Some say I have double standards when I criticise the behaviour of the Australian team. Why don't I post longwinded rants about the behaviour of the Pakistan team or the South Africans? I'll plead guilty to being harder on Australia. Simply, I care more deeply about the Australian team.

I'm interested in other teams but I'm passionate about what happens to our boys. I rejoice when they win but feel it like a gut punch when they lose and fume when they behave badly. As an Australian, I feel somewhat represented by our cricket team. When they carry on like drunken fratboys at the Champions Trophy, inspiring a few million people on the subcontinent to hate Australia, well, yes, I do feel a vested interest in their behaviour.

After Ponting's admission, I also have concerns from a tactical point of view. When he was run out by Gary Pratt in 2005, he placed more blame on substitute fielders than his own shortcomings as a tactician and judge of a good run. And any idiot can see Pietersen plays better when riled up. Instead of a sports psychologist, perhaps Cricket Australia should pay an anger management consultant to travel with the squad.

Posted by JC on Wed 11 Apr

36 comments

You're a tough man JC. Punter is still learning what it takes to be a captain and leader. He's taken some significant steps; from boozer to premier batsman in world cricket, to captain of the number one team in the world, following in the formidable footsteps of Border, Taylor, Waugh. I say let him grow into the job, a la John Howard. After all, it is the second most important position in Australia, and we gave Howard all that time to disappoint many of us.

Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-04-12 13:21:02

No one to replace him as captain JC. Gilly's too talkative and Hussey is currently suffering as a result of a failed run as captain in NZ. No one with any real character and finesse in the Aussie team at the moment. Well, I guess it could be worse. Punter could be more like Lara.

It's a sad day when I find myself admiring Fleming more than my own country's cricket team captain.

Posted by TA on 2007-04-12 14:03:52

I get the impression Howard with gladly swap with Ponting if given the choice!

I don't like the sledging either, however I have to give credit to Ponting for supporting his team mates through rough patches and helping their development. Ponting has helped players like Brett Lee find their feet by showing faith in them. Also contrast Ponting's comments about Hussey's lack of form with Lara bemoaning his team's performance. There's the difference between the two tams - the captain's attitude.

I get the impression that his team mates see Ponting's tantrums as his way of sticking up for them. Not that I excuse Ponting's behaviour - the Champion's trophy incident was a disgrace.

Posted by MT on 2007-04-12 15:58:42

Well said MT. Another example of Ponting supporting a team mate can be seen in his support of Andrew Symmons, who I believe would still be making the odd streaky 80 for Queensland if it weren't for Ricki Ponting.

Having said that I think "Captain Tantrum" could catch on. It's certainly more more p.c. than another nickname I heard.. Sticky Pootang

Posted by P. Dorf on 2007-04-12 18:57:51

I'm not saying Ponting should be sacked. He's not a bad captain. I avoided using the 'D word' but all I'm saying is I'm a little disappointed in him.

As for John Howard, not so keen on letting him learn on the job. It's meant he's spent the past decade pointedly ignoring global warming and still doing so despite all the evidence to the contrary. He won't be getting my vote come the next federal election.

Posted by JC on 2007-04-12 19:01:46

No, no no, RT Ponting is not (and never will be) a great Australian captain.

What he is, however, is one of the world's finest batmen the game has ever seen. Punter was just in the right place at the right time and will be remembered by me for being a beneficiary of the greatest cricket team of all time thus far - which doesn't make him the best captain. See either Chappell or Benaud for that accolade.

I recall him being dropped for a fist fight prior to being captain and then falling into the position because Warnie was even more foolish during that era. SK Warne remains the best captain Australia never had and goes on record as challenges Ponting's captaincy when we lost the Ashes over there.

Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-04-13 20:21:26

Ian Chappell I reckon Gaz. Imaginative, daring, never took a backward step; not a negative bone in his body. Took on the establishment too.
Another word in defence of RP. Wasn't long ago that he could barely put two words together in a public interview. He can actually come out with sentences now. I think the guy is actually quite shy. Sometimes when a person tries to cover up shyness it comes out as a cockiness, which is never the intent. Last from me on RP.

Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-04-13 20:50:29

Dan, I agree. I also think RP is a bit shy. His press conferences are always interesting: direct, honest responses (sometimes too honest :), no spin, and the odd lame joke (always delivered with a grin). He has come a long way from his roots and I, for one, am not disappointed. He's a player's player, certainly is not a statesman of the game (by his own admission), and is not pretending to be someone he's not.
His players like and respect him and that is enough for me.

Posted by stumps on 2007-04-13 22:05:18

VG,
Who would you rather as captain? Someone who can't bat or bowl? Say, Michael Vaughan?

Posted by T11 on 2007-04-14 02:10:27

What the...?

Look, its as simple as this, the first man i would pick in any squad to take on any challenge would be Ricky Ponting. He is the toughest little runt going round and a proven performer on all the biggest stages and against the best the opposition can muster. This is a combination of all things, his sublime batting, unparraleled fielding ability and confidence he inspires within his own ranks. He has developed Symonds into the player he is today through belief, Mike Hussey trod a similar path and now Shane Watson and Shaun Tait are realising their potentials because of Ponting. The 2005 ashes was a great contest, won by a solid english team against a slightly dissapointing Australia, but lets not forget the courageous knock that Punter pulled out to save the third test. But the greatest mark of the man is in his ability to cop his medicine and come back stronger...just look at the 2006/7 ashes, Ponting was unstoppable and determined and his performances and captaincy reflected this hence the demoralised English team we now see.

I think every captain since A.B is a strong reflection of Australian cricket, determined, tough, and all great performers against the best of the rest. Ponting is a continuation of this and it just so happens that he is the best individual player of the lot!

Long live Ponting, and i dont even have to remind you as you are an Australian - LOOK AT THE SCOREBOARD MATE!

Posted by David Boon on 2007-04-16 10:31:41

I will never deny that Ponting is a great batsman - possibly the best Australian batsman since Bradman. He's not a bad captain either and I never said he should be sacked. I'm just expressing some disappointment (augh, the 'D word') in his behaviour and lack of self control - as Australian captain, he should be better than that.

Posted by JC on 2007-04-16 11:58:37

Oh I get it JC. You want him to be a top class batsman and fielder, with an excellent win-loss ratio, to inspire and develop his team and to be a perfect gentlemen on and off the field. Sounds like the perfect cricketer - I think everyone wants one of those for a captain!

Posted by MT on 2007-04-16 17:04:23

You summed it up perfectly. I'm not asking too much, am I?

Posted by JC on 2007-04-16 17:40:27

Nah, not too much. You could expect him to be a first class bowler too ;)

Posted by MT on 2007-04-16 20:52:06

Well, he did get Michael Vaughan out during the 2005 Ashes when his frontliners couldn't get a wicket. Some more of that would be nice.

Posted by JC on 2007-04-17 09:19:36

It would be nice if he could cook a bit, perhaps the odd

Posted by TA on 2007-04-17 17:37:49

souffl�?

Posted by TA on 2007-04-17 17:38:51

its kinda strange, when another team sledges aussies we get fired up and come all guns blazing , when we sledge others they become psycologically fragile...

Posted by JT on 2007-04-17 21:48:52

hi,
i think ricky should take 3 steeps on a spin ball if far from his leg and a steep back if to close.

and if and slow ball samsh for 6 and pace take the 3 steeps and mabey he will get a 4 or 6

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Posted by boxseo on 2010-02-05 20:20:39

The 2005 ashes was a great contest, won by a solid english team against a slightly dissapointing Australia, but lets not forget the courageous knock that Punter pulled out to save the third test.
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