Clarke learnt from my mistake: Ponting

Former captain Ricky Ponting has backed Michael Clarke’s decision to retire following Australia’s Ashes series defeat, saying he wished he had done the same in 2011.

Ponting relinquished the captaincy to Clarke in 2011 but continued to play for Australia until late 2012, whereas Clarke will lead his country one final time at The Oval in a fortnight, before stepping away from international cricket after 115 Tests.

“Since I retired I have realised I went on too long and Michael doesn’t want to be in the same boat," Ponting told Sky Sports.

“I think it’s the right time as he has been fighting inner demons and battling his game for the last 12-18 months.

“He deserves to finish at The Oval and hopefully with the weight of the series off, we can see him make a big score.”

Last year, Ponting made a shock admission in a UK television interview, saying he played on two years longer than he should have done. 

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Ponting had already tipped changes to the Australia line-up following a fourth successive Ashes defeat on British soil, and the former captain said he believed there was enough talent in the domestic set-up to revive the team.

“The systems we have in Australia will guarantee that we will continue to produce good cricketers and it’s only a few months ago that this Australia team was winning everything,” Ponting said.

“But we have got to get back to producing first-class wickets in Australia that are going to have our players better prepared for English conditions.”

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Fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath agreed Australia’s Ashes defeat offered an opportunity for young players to make their mark, but said any changes should be carefully considered.

“I think you call time on guys only if there are better replacements out there,” McGrath wrote in a column in the Telegraph.

“Australia has plenty of fast bowlers coming through. Pat Cummins is in the wings here, James Pattinson is coming back and Nathan Coulter-Nile has potential – so there are a lot of young guys performing with the ball.

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“The batting is the concern. Nobody is putting up their hand – the reason Voges got his opportunity at the latter part of his career was that he scored more runs back home than younger guys and deserved his chance.

“Australia play well in their own conditions but it is identifying the guys who can adapt all over the world. That is the difference between being good and being great.

“There is a chance now for young Australian players to make a mark and grab an opportunity.”

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