I’m the right man to lead Australia, says Ponting

Ricky Ponting says he is still the man to lead Australia in next month’s Ashes series with England amid calls for his sacking and questions over his tactics.

Ponting arrived home late Thursday from a 2-0 Test series loss to India to be greeted by calls from former Test paceman Geoff Lawson for him to step aside as skipper.

Ponting was also publicly criticised by former Test team-mate Shane Warne for his field settings for spinner Nathan Hauritz’s bowling during this week’s second Test loss to India in Bangalore.

Pressure has mounted on Ponting’s leadership ahead of the five-Test home series against England after Australia lost three consecutive Tests for the first time since 1988.

Asked by reporters if he was the right man to captain Australia this summer, Ponting declared: “Absolutely, I’ve got no doubt about that at all.

“It was disappointing over there (India) but that’s the game of cricket. I’m still learning about my own game and my captaincy.”

Lawson has called for deputy Michael Clarke to lead Australia against England at the Gabba from November 25.

Lawson said Ponting, 35, had now lost five series as skipper, and relieving him of the captaincy would allow him to focus more on his batting.

“I mean he’s now lost five series, it may be time to say, ‘Look mate, we’ve got Michael Clarke ready to go with a nice fresh young mind’,” Lawson told reporters.