Oz greats criticize Cricket Australia’s decision to rest Ponting

MELBOURNE - Cricket Australia’s decision to rest skipper Ricky Ponting from final ODI encounter against Sri Lanka has drawn wide criticism from cricketers who see it as a sign of a cricket system that has lost its way.

Ponting was rested from the third and final one-day match against Sri Lanka at the Gabba, allegedly so he could play a Sheffield Shield match for Tasmania in Hobart.

“I cannot understand what they are trying to achieve. He is the captain of this side. They have one match to play. I think Ricky should be here. I don’t understand it - Australian cricket is very confused,” said former Test batsman-turned commentator Michael Slater.

“We are getting too fancy. You are picking the team to play for your country - they should be the best XI,” FOX Sports quoted him, as saying.

Even fellow commentator and Cricket Australia board member Mark Taylor was surprised.

“I would be picking as many of them as I possibly could. I was surprised Ricky was not playing,” Taylor said.

Slater said Australia should be hitting rivals with full force and pick a full-strength Test side to play as an Australian XI in England’s final warm-up game in Hobart before the first Test.(ANI)