Oz cricket legend Harvey says Ponting must retire

Melbourne: Australian cricket legend Neil Harvey has called on former skipper Ricky Ponting to retire from cricket.

"He (Ponting) is not helping the side at all - there`s no future in him. He had his day, he should realise that and retire," a leading daily quoted Harvey, as saying. He said Ponting was unncecesarily prolonging his career like former skipper Allan Border. He also described Mitchell Johnson as the ‘most over-rated pace bowler’. "The most over-rated fast bowler I`ve ever seen, I think. He might have a bit of pace but, by gee, he`s so easy to hit, so expensive," Harvey said. Harvey said more youngsters should be given a chance in international cricket. He lauded newcomer paceman Pat Cummins, who was declared ‘Man of the Match’ in Australia`s second Test match over South Africa. "He`s got a lot of promise. He`s got a lot to learn, mind you. His accuracy is not quite there yet, but he`s got legitimate pace, and he bowls a good bouncer and he seems to have the right attitude,” Harvey said. "I just hope that they are going to look after him a bit, and not bowl him too much - burn him out," he added. He also expressed disappointment that Cricket Australia appointed former South African Mickey Arthur coach as head coach, overlooking local contenders. Harvey, 83, played 79 Tests, with an average of 48.41, for Australia. ANI