Ponting to lead in all formats until 2011 World Cup

May 4, 2009

Ricky Ponting has the backing of the selectors to lead Australia in all three formats of the game until the 2011 World Cup despite the heavy international schedule. Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, has said they would not split the Test and ODI captaincy to help prolong Ponting's career despite the growing stature of his deputy Michael Clarke.

"Leadership issues are things that we always think about but we are really confident that Ricky will be more than capable of getting through to the 2011 World Cup, and I know that is something he would like to do, so I don't see that as being an issue," Hilditch told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Ponting, along with Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson, was rested from the ODI series against Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi following a packed summer which included home and away series against South Africa. Clarke filled in for Ponting and scored a crucial hundred in the fourth game of the series, which Australia won 3-2.

"We have been very careful with managing his [Ponting's] workload in the last three or four years, and he really needed to have a break in our summer, which for lots of reasons was not a popular decision, but it was a pretty tough task to then send him to South Africa [for the Test series] and then go straight into one-dayers," Hilditch said. "It was pretty tough on him and he did very well. For a few weeks, at least, he is getting a break now.

"From time to time we will look at his workload, particularly on overseas tours and try and keep it to a manageable level, but for key events Ricky is always going to be a critical member of the side."

Australia will use Clarke, who is tipped to be Ponting's successor, as a stand-in captain whenever Ponting needs a break. Clarke has also shown a willingness to wait. "Let me make clear, our captain's back home and we can't wait to have him back," he said. "He's a fantastic leader and I'm stoked that he's happy to give me these chances, give me these opportunities to get involved and learn as much as I can."