Arthur admits Ponting mentally 'jaded' but not on 'death row' as ODI player

Melbourne, Feb 19(ANI): Australian coach Mickey Arthur has said batsman Ricky Ponting is physically and mentally "jaded" but added that he is not on the verge of fading out as an one-day international cricketer.

"If I have to be totally honest, Ricky is a little bit jaded. He's like a couple of our Test players that have played all summer, but that is the treadmill of international cricket and they have to find a way to make their performances count and have an impact on the team," news.com.au quoted Arthur, as saying.

Ponting, who has scored just one century in his past 34 one-day innings is under pressure to deliver a good performance in the wake of Australia trying to avert a third consecutive defeat in the one-day series against India at the Gabba today.

He admitted that Ponting is tired, but said there are no plans to rest Ponting, who will lead an unchanged Australian side in today's game in the absence of injured skipper Michael Clarke.

Asked if Ponting would have been rested had Clarke been fit, Arthur said: "That didn't even get to the discussion table because Michael is injured.

"It's totally Michael Clarke's team and Ricky is very aware of that, but Ricky is outstanding around the group (as captain).He oozes confidence and experience and to have a guy like Ricky leading the ship ... we are in a fortunate position if something does happen to Michael Clarke."

Arthur stressed that Ponting remains a key player of Australia's one-day squad irrespective of his latest form slump.

"I'd like to see Ricky Ponting in our team all the time. But as I've said through the summer, every cricketer's currency is performance. That's what gets you into the Australian team. A character like Ricky Ponting is someone you want around the team all the time because he's so inspirational," he added. (ANI)