Lawson calls for change in captaincy

Geoff Lawson, the former Australia fast bowler, has called for Ricky Ponting to be removed as captain so he can concentrate on his batting. Australia were beaten 2-0 by India in a Test series where Ponting's tactics drew criticism from various quarters, including former team-mate Shane Warne. The seven-wicket loss in Bangalore was also Australia's third in a row, prompting concerns ahead of the Ashes later in the year.

"I mean he's now lost five series, it may be time to say 'look mate, we've got Michael Clarke ready to go with a nice fresh young mind, he can be the captain and you focus on your batting and try to restore yourself to the level we know you're capable'," Lawson told ABC.

Ponting notched up three half-centuries in four innings on the tour of India, his best returns in a series in the country. But Lawson claimed he could have done better. He referred to Sachin Tendulkar's experience with captaincy and the prolific run he's enjoyed since being relieved of his leadership duties.

"It's a great point and Ricky's still batting reasonably, he got two scores of 70 in this [Bangalore] Test match," he said. "The difference is that Tendulkar got a double-hundred and then backed it up with a 50-odd not out and obviously he can focus on those big scores.

"You've got to look at the way Ponting is batting and think mentally he can't concentrate for long enough."