Can HE Replace HIM?

Happy new year Usman Khawaja !! 

A special wish as he would make his debut in the new year test as a replacement for Ricky. 

News flowing around that Ponting has already played his last, will he make a place for himself in the side ? 
Can he replace HIM? Australia's first Asian born Muslim cricketer set to "replace" one of the modern day legends ?? Big shoes to fill in.......

Passing on tricks??

First Asian born cricketer in reckoning for Australia National team. Has represented Australia U-19 National team. Has received rave reviews for his performances. And this season he has mixed patience and calm with aggression and has been among the runs for NSW. Recent being a fine century against South Australia in the Ryobi One-Day Cup.

Since Australian batsmen are struggling with their poor form if he plays well in the fifth Ashes test match, there is no doubt that he is going to be a permanent member of the Australian squad. Let’s wish all the very best for the youngster.

And for Ponting, "read the previous post"

His Trade Mark Pull/Hook, Cover-drive , cut shots, seems a long time since we saw them. Aussies have already lost a quite a lot of classy players in the recent past in Gilchrist, Hayden in the batting, Warne, McGrath in bowling, Ponting the last survivor !! :P

All the best Punter!!!!!!!

Would Ponting re-start his career?  OR

Would the qualified pilot Khawaja's international career take off ?

-- Posted By Kiran

The Comeback - Possible ?

Flashback to the infamous Ganguly-Chappell saga ( 2005-06 ). Form dips, controversy, media and other pressures, "drop dada" campaigns etc......

Dada in a pensive mood

He was dropped from the side but he proved the critics who believed that cricket in him is over. What a comeback it was.
Read "Tribute to Dada" to know more about it...

As they say history repeats itself, now in a similar situation is another cricket great Ricky Ponting. A silent beginning, rise from lower middle order to No.3 in batting. From being a tiny man, he amassed runs and stood tall for Aussies. Hailed as one of the modern greats, second only to Sachin in records. He has an impressive record as captain, most of which now being attributed to the presence of legends in the team. Ponting now a mere mortal.

Crying ?? -- Almost.

Dismal form. Cannot play the rising ball. Age catching up. Team in disarray. Calls for Ponting to quit.
Some are even predicting that he has already played his last, I do not want to imagine so. Cricket is so cruel that it more often than not doesn't let its greats script their departure from the game. The next assignment for Aussies is in next August against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and since the domestic season will come to an end before the world cup gets over, its difficult for him to improve/adjust his batting and become the man of whom he is a mere shadow now...

This brings us to the question - Is he ready for a comeback ? Are we ready to witness another comeback aka Dada ?
Ganguly showed trmendous application and concentration and improved his batting so well and played much better than he ever had in the past. If Ponting were to do anything like that or even a little lesser than that he could quit on a high or to put it - script his exit.

Or as Ian Chappel puts it - Ponting past his use-by-date...