Ponting named Tasmanian captain

In a move with potentially big implications for the future of Australian cricket, the Tasmanian Cricket Association (TCA) has announced today that Ricky Ponting has been appointed as its new state captain for the 2001-02 Australian domestic season.

The star Tasmanian and Australian batsman assumes the Tigers' leadership reins from Jamie Cox, who has chosen to step aside to help Ponting ready himself for potential elevation to the Australian captaincy at a later stage in his career.

Announcing the appointment at a press conference in Hobart, TCA Chairman Denis Rogers said that the decision had been taken in order to present Ponting with greater experience as a captain and provide him with the chance to showcase his leadership skills at a high level.

"Ricky has been touted in the past for possible future higher duties and we believe now is the time for him to lead Tasmania. As Tasmanian captain, he will gain the necessary experience and have the chance to show his leadership qualities should that opportunity arise," said Rogers.

"What's behind Jamie's thinking is to ensure that Ricky has the best possible opportunity to show his skills as a captain," he added.

Ponting, 26, has been a permanent member of the Tasmanian side since making his debut as a 17-year old in the 1992-93 season. A total of 51 first-class and 27 limited-overs games for the state have followed, as well as 47 Tests and 123 one-day internationals for his country.

But, while he has been earmarked by many as a natural on-field leader, his experience as a captain has so far extended to just three matches. Two of these - against Somerset and Ireland - were played during Australia's recent tour of the United Kingdom, and the other was a Mercantile Mutual Cup fixture against Victoria in Melbourne in 2000-01.

"I haven't really had the chance so far to be a captain at virtually any level of the game: for club, state, or for my country," said Ponting.

"I am looking forward to the responsibility, the challenge, and to building on what Jamie has achieved during his tenure."

Cox, for his part, has been appointed vice-captain for 2001-02 following two excellent seasons as captain. The Tigers finished third under his leadership in the Pura Cup last summer, and also showed significant improvement at one-day level, winning four of their Mercantile Mutual Cup matches and remaining in finals contention until the last weekend of the season.

He arrives back in Tasmania tomorrow after an exceptionally successful season in charge of English county side Somerset but confirmed in a short statement from Taunton that Ponting's appointment was an important and natural progression.

"I wholeheartedly support (the appointment) and I know that it will be very well received by the rest of the Tigers.

"The decision to stand down as Tasmanian captain is not one that I have made lightly but I do so without regret at this stage of my career. I must stress it was made without pressure from any external source and that it in no way diminishes my commitment to Tasmanian cricket."

As Ponting is likely to be away on international duty for the bulk of the season, it is expected that the changes to Cox's role will be minimal in any case.

He is likely to step up to the captaincy again for the four-day match against South Australia, starting in Hobart on 9 November. Barring unexpected developments, he would then almost certainly continue to occupy that position for the remainder of Tasmania's Pura Cup and ING Cup campaigns.