Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting says Michael Clarke should hand over the one-day captaincy at the end of the upcoming 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Clarke’s preparations for the World Cup has been hampered by a hamstring injury, raising doubts over his one-day international career.
However the 33-year-old scored 64 against the United Arab Emirates in a World Cup warm-up game on Wednesday and pushed his claim to be part of the side that faces England at the MCG on Saturday.
Ponting says Clarke should remain captain of the Test side, but should hand over the one-day captaincy to 25-year-old Steve Smith.
Clarke’s preparations for the World Cup has been hampered by a hamstring injury, raising doubts over his one-day international career.
However the 33-year-old scored 64 against the United Arab Emirates in a World Cup warm-up game on Wednesday and pushed his claim to be part of the side that faces England at the MCG on Saturday.
Ponting says Clarke should remain captain of the Test side, but should hand over the one-day captaincy to 25-year-old Steve Smith.
“I believe that the right time for Michael to hand over the One-Day captaincy to Steven will be after the conclusion of this World Cup,” Ponting was quoted as saying by ESPNCrininfo.
“Retiring from one-day games will also allow Michael’s body regular rest and recovery periods, something that has effectively taken place numerous times already as he has sat out a lot of ODI series.”
Clarke was initially set to make his first appearance at the 2015 World Cup in Australia’s second pool game against Bangladesh on February 21, but is now believed to be a realistic chance to face England in his side’s tournament opener.
“Retiring from one-day games will also allow Michael’s body regular rest and recovery periods, something that has effectively taken place numerous times already as he has sat out a lot of ODI series.”
Clarke was initially set to make his first appearance at the 2015 World Cup in Australia’s second pool game against Bangladesh on February 21, but is now believed to be a realistic chance to face England in his side’s tournament opener.
By: Farai Diza
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