SOMERSET have denied they are in discussions to sign former Australia captain Ricky Ponting amid speculation he could join a county club this season. Reports have suggested that Ponting could return to Somerset, where he enjoyed a brief stint in 2004, in the second half of the season to push his claims for an Ashes place next summer, after he previously admitted his desire to return to county cricket and while Somerset would not rule out a move, they have not begun talks.
“We are not in active discussions for that to happen at this point,” a spokesman told Press Association Sport. “It would be wrong to suggest that you would not want to wish to sign a player like Ricky Ponting but it is not a highway we are travelling down at the moment.”
The spokesman added: “We are keeping our options open at this point.”
The 37-year-old has found himself out of favour with Australia’s one-day international set-up with his Test career only revived following a stellar home series against India in the winter.
Somerset have already signed South Africa’s rising star Vernon Philander for the opening part of the season, but the quick bowler will be unavailable once the Proteas’ tour of England begins in early July.
That has opened up the possibility of a move for Ponting, with Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose saying it was an option he would like to explore.
After captaining Tasmania to defeat in the Sheffield Shield final this week Ponting would be without any first-class cricket until Australia’s series against South Africa next winter.
The right-hander hinted he would like to fill that time with a county move earlier this year, when he held a press conference admitting his ODI career was over, but was concerned there would be no vacancies for him.
“To be totally honest I think most of the county sides would already have their international players signed in and locked in for next season anyway – probably at the moment that’s an outside chance for me to go and play county cricket,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that I need to be as well prepared as possible for I think it’s the start of November in Australia when the Test series starts (against South Africa).”