Mark Waugh backs ‘invaluable’ Ponting to score heavily to prolong career

Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh has thrown his support behind under-pressure Ricky Ponting, saying that the 36-year-old still has a future in Test cricket despite a dismal run of form.

“Ideally it would be great to see Ricky retire when he wants to and go out on a high. But he seems content to keep playing and leave it up to the selectors. He has been one of our great players and his experience is invaluable to an emerging team,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Waugh, as saying.

“His half-century in Johannesburg was a good sign he’s got a few more runs left in him yet, but he will need to score heavily this summer in Australia to prolong his career,” he added.

Since the Ashes last December, Ponting has averaged just 14.15 from 13 innings.
 
However, his gritty knock in Australia’s record-breaking chase in the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg has proved that he deserves a spot in the squad.