By IANS,
Melbourne : Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has no intention of giving up captaincy and is looking to guide the team through the transitional phase.
“I’ve never thought about giving up the captaincy or not wanting to do it anymore. I’m really enjoying the job that I’ve got and I enjoy the challenge of trying to lift the team every day,” Ponting was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.
Ponting, 34, took over from Steve Waugh almost five years ago, and is determined to mark himself as one of Australia’s most significant Test captains.
He has led the team for the same number of Tests as Mark Taylor (50) and barring injury will pass Waugh (57) one game into next year’s Ashes series.
Allan Border captained Australia for 93 Tests, a number that Ponting, 33, may yet surpass.
His 70 per cent winning ratio is certain to suffer as the team shifts from its bull market form, but it is unlikely to dip below Border’s 34.3 per cent in coming years.
Waugh played a record 168 Tests for Australia, a figure Ponting (125) could knock off if he plays to the same age.
“Previous captains before me probably came into the job a bit later in their careers than me,” Ponting said.
“Stephen (Waugh) probably didn’t come into the job until he was around my age (now), so by the time those five years were up he was 38, 39, and towards the end of his career anyway,” Ponting said.
“It’s a challenging time for me and the team right now. The transitional phase that we’re in has been challenging within itself, but it’s an exciting time for me as well and one that I’m looking to work really closely with some of the younger players to ensure we get through this the best we possibly can.”