Ponting eyes English weaknesses for Ashes 2010-11

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has pointed to England’s batting as their possible weak link that the Aussie’s will be looking to exploit. Ponting went as far as to name names to point out where the English side could possibly have problems, with Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen and Alistair Cook all being mentioned, Ponting said, “Kevin Pietersen, obviously, is a big question mark for them at the moment. Alastair Cook is just holding on to his spot by the skin of his teeth, and [Paul] Collingwood has probably not had the best Test summer of his life either. They will be a little nervous when they arrive in Australia.”

Ricky Ponting decides to skip IPL

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has decided to skip the IPL 2009 due to a very busy international schedule. Ponting said "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 also said "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 [Twenty20] World Cup."

Australia now have a series against South Africa, then a series against Pakistan. The small break after it is the period for IPL. However World t20, ashes and other follow it which means a very busy schedule. Ponting was given rest during the series against New Zealand but after 2-losses, he came back. Australians poor performance this season is another major reason for Ponting's decision to opt out of IPL.

Ponting is another player after Michael Clarke and Johnson to opt out of the IPL. He plays for Knight Riders which now can replace him with another player for this season. However, Ponting has said that he will be available for IPL 2010