Ricky Ponting argues for country over money

Australian Captain Ricky Ponting says it is up to him and other senior players to ensure the next generation of Australian players aren't blinded by the riches of Twenty20 cricket.

One of Ponting's gravest fears is that the financial opportunities associated with T20 have weakened the resolve of youngsters to represent their country.

But the current rash of injuries suffered by Australia has allowed Ponting and acting vice-captain Mike Hussey to instil their values in newcomers Clint McKay, Jon Holland, Burt Cockley and Moises Henriques.

"I've made no secret that I'm a bit worried about some of the attitudes of younger players ... with the amount of money that's around in Champions League and IPL," Ponting said.

"I just hope that the next generation of players coming through have the same sort of want and desire to play as much international cricket as I have, because that's what it's all about as far as I'm concerned.

"Hence the reason I retired from international Twenty20 cricket, to play more 50-over cricket and better Test cricket over the next few years.

"One thing we always try to stress, as the more experienced players in this team, is just how much of an honour it is to get a chance to play for Australia.

"We really ram that home to the young guys coming in and every young bloke I've seen come in has accepted just how big and special it is to play for Australia.

"That's my job and Huss' job and Michael Clarke's job, as the senior players in the side at the moment, is just to keep reinforcing that to those blokes."

Ponting is not generally known for stirring speeches, preferring to share duties around with coach Tim Nielsen and other senior men.

But he took the opportunity before game five in Hyderabad to give one such talk, rallying his 13 fit players in a manner that was very effective.

"There's times and places for it, of course," he said.

"One thing I don't like doing is talking too much all the time, and I'm sure the guys get sick of hearing my voice. We share the load around pretty well.

"But I just felt it was a really good opportunity the other day, only having 13 players to choose from and probably being at our most vulnerable in the tournament, to just try and get a bit more out of the boys, and everyone responded as well as I could possibly expect.

"It was just about ... how important it is, even if you're a young bloke and you're feeling under pressure, just to be brave and stand up and do what you've done to get to play for Australia.

"Quite often young blokes come in and think just because they're playing for Australia they have to do a lot more, but you don't.

"You just have to do what you can do and play the way that you can play.

"If you do that for long enough in this game then things will go your way.

"But it's about having the courage and self-belief to do that, which young players don't have sometimes."