Ricky Ponting said Wednesday he has no regrets about quitting the Australian captaincy and welcomes having fewer responsibilities ahead of this week's second Test against New Zealand. Ponting led Australia in 77 Tests before he stood down as Test and One-day skipper after the World Cup earlier this year, making way for deputy Michael Clarke to take charge.
Ponting, who turns 37 this month, has continued as a batsman in the Test team and is lining up for his seventh and possibly final Test at Hobart's Bellerive Oval where he began his first-class career with Tasmania in 1992. It is rare for former Australian captains to continue playing on under a new leader and Ponting was asked at a press conference whether he had adjusted to his new role.
"It's a lot of fun actually not being the captain," Ponting laughed. "Am I adjusting? Just the same way I was before when I was captain. I just want to be the best member of the team that I can possibly be. "And that's by trying to do the best I can by scoring runs and trying to offer advice and help young guys along the way and be there as an extra pair of eyes or ears for the captain if he needs me as well." Ponting, lining up for his 158th Test match, said he felt more relaxed without the added responsibilities associiated with being team captain "Actually, it's a lot more relaxing for me just to be an everyday player," he said.
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