Ponting warns Smith to avoid burn-out

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has warned Steve Smith, who is now skipper in all three formats, not to get burned out from constant captaincy and the demands of batting in the top order.
Smith was named the T20 skipper ahead of the World Twenty20, replacing Aaron Finch, adding to his Test and ODI leadership duties. Ponting, who was in the same position for a long time, warned that it will be draining.
Ponting told Melbourne radio station SEN: "The thing that might start taking its toll on Steve Smith is just how constant that role is now for him.
"He’s only new into the Test captaincy really.
"Now he’s captain of all three formats. I think it will catch up with him pretty quickly. It did with me, anyway."
Punter added that he'd been surprised about Finch's demotion, pondering that it might be to do with his hamstring injury, which he is busy recovering from.
He said: "I'm a little bit surprised that Finch is not captain. I'm not sure if his injury is worse than we think.
"He did the same (injury) with (the Mumbai Indians) in the IPL last year."
Former wicketkeeper Ian Healy had faith that Smith would cope with the roles, saying on the CA website: "He's very capable of handling it and I think the team needs it right now.
"The T20 leadership is not a big thing outside of this year.
"This year with the World T20 there (are more matches) but Smithy will have the energy to get through that and I think, at the moment, the team will like that."
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2013 – James Anderson claims 300th Test wicket
Anderson dismissed New Zealand’s Peter Fulton to reach the landmark.
-
News
England quick Saqib Mahmood to miss rest of season with stress fracture of back
The Lancashire fast bowler would have been a certain inclusion in the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
England change to continue with new limited-overs coach and revamped Test squad
Things have been moving quickly at the England and Wales Cricket Board with Rob Key.
-
News
On this day in 2010: England beat Australia for Twenty20 World Cup final glory
The Australians had been restricted to just 147 for six from their 20 overs.
-
News
James Anderson removes Joe Root for just four but Yorkshire thwart Lancashire
Harry Brook came to Yorkshire’s rescue to secure a Roses draw.
-
News
Andrew Symonds – the Queensland larrikin known as Roy with explosive batting
The former Australia all-rounder was killed in a car crash at the age of 46.
-
News
Tributes to an ‘extraordinary player and even better human being’ Andrew Symonds
Symonds died aged 46
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in Queensland car crash
The 46-year-old played over 200 times for Australia across all formats.
-
News
Cricket world reacts to tragic death of ex-Australia player Andrew Symonds
The ‘cult figure’ of the sport was killed in a car-crash on Saturday night.
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in car crash aged 46
Symonds played 26 Tests and 212 limited-overs internationals for his country.