Waugh says Ponting defending his tactics in India making Oz team vulnerable

Former skipper Steve Waugh has said that Ricky Ponting now needs to draw a line through the Nagpur Test and not defend his actions, as it will detract and make the Australian team vulnerable to attacks from sides now sensing a fragility not seen since the mid-1980s.

"If he continues to defend his actions, his mind will be distracted and his team vulnerable to attack from sides now sensing a fragility not seen since the mid-1980s," Waugh said.

Waugh writing in his column for The Daily Telegraph said "we finally have some cricket to talk about after a week of solid debate centred on Ricky Ponting's captaincy."

"Anyone and everyone has had their say but when former and current captains lock horns, it's always going to create extra interest," he writes.

"I can see both points of view but know there's only ever going to be one winner - the guy with the microphone or computer. As such, Ricky needs to move on and let it go, even though it's probably eating away at him."

In Allan Border you have a man who rarely hands out criticism but he obviously felt Rick's tactics were wrong and as a journalist he has an obligation to provide an opinion.

"I also know that as a high-profile player you tend to live in a somewhat cocooned world, hold on to negative criticism and think everyone is against you at times. The reality is that people reading papers or listening to commentary move on and forget what they've heard or read relatively quickly," Waugh writes.

"Predictably, Australia lost the toss. After playing on slow, low wickets in India, they found themselves on a green, bouncy pitch and struggled to make the necessary adjustments to cope against a spirited Kiwi attack that bowled intelligently and eagerly," he added. (ANI)

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