Sachinism Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, has decided to skip the 2009 season of the IPL because of his country's packed international schedule. Ponting felt that he wouldn't be able to give his all for his country if he used his only two-week break to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders. "My country comes first and there was no way I could give my all for Australia if I used the only two-week break we have to go and play in India," Ponting wrote in his column in the Australian. "I have been talking with my team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, for a month or two now and in the end my only choice was to withdraw from the 2009 competition, but I will most certainly be back for 2010 when I hope to be able to make a much greater contribution. The franchise has been fantastic about the whole thing and I want to thank them for their understanding." Australia are currently in South Africa where they are scheduled to play three Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and five ODIs. This series comes soon after the end of the Australian summer, during which the team played home Test and ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand. The Australian selectors wanted Ponting to take a break during the five-ODI series against New Zealand but he returned to the squad after Australia conceded a 2-0 lead to the visitors. "As everybody is aware, I could not really take a break through the Australian summer," Ponting wrote. "However, I have to say that I had been talking with my manager about not playing the IPL well before any issues came up about me having a break, or, as it turned out, not having a break, during the one-day series against New Zealand. "Part of the reason I decided to withdraw from the IPL is that Twenty20 is such a physically demanding game and you have to be at your best to play the game and I want to be at my best for the World Cup. " Australia are scheduled to play a one-day series against Pakistan after the tour of South Africa ends in April following which is the two-week gap during which Australian players will be available for the IPL. However, the itinerary is packed after the break with the Twenty20 World Cup in England followed by the Ashes, ODIs in England, a bilateral series in India and the Australian summer. -- http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/391461.html -- Its good his priorities are Australia, because the team is in shambles :giggle: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Pwned !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty_South Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triam Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 KKR can as well write off their season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SachDan Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 KKR can as well write off their season. No. They'll have Gayle this time around and he's more likely to succeed in T20's than Pwnting. Also Pwnting was a complete flop last time ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamy Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 He quit before he could be fired... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zap_Brannigan Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 The guy was pissed that a lot of other players got more than he did.Maybe he couldnt stand flintoff and KP getting what they did. Not surprised. Dick move on his part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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