UN IMAGINATIVE CAPTAINCY

Ricky Ponting, after winning the all important toss, chose to field first on a placid, high scoring pitch in Nagpur for surprise of every one. Knowing that the services of his prime strike bowler are not available, one wonders what made Ponting to field first on an excellent batting pitch. Expect for getting the wicket of Tendulkar early, nothing went right for Assies. Indian batsmen scored runs at will. Suresh Raina and Sewag contributed runs at very good strike rate. Dhoni led the team from front and scored a match winning century. Chasing 350 odd runs by any team on any pitch is not easy. Assies lost wickets in quick session. There were no partnerships. There was need for a cameo innings from some one like M.Jhonsen. Ahead of him Ponting sent the inexperienced Voges, Shuan Marsh, knowing well the cameo innings Jhonsen is capable of. He was sent in after the fall of five wickets, with only 12-13 over remaining to do the impossible. It appears Ponting wrong judgment might have cost them the match.