The announcement that Ricky Ponting had been appointed captain of the Tasmanian Tigers took many by surprise. Ponting has long been touted as a future Australian captain, but until now he has had little experience of leading a team at first-class level - just one one-day game for Tasmania and two matches for the national side on their recent tour.

So why the sudden promotion? Adam Gilchrist, the current Australian vice-captain, appeared to have leapfrogged Ponting in the queue to succeed Steve Waugh, but worries are growing over the burden which would be placed on him as a keeper and star batsman. It is thought that the ACB have decided that Ponting needs to be given more responsibility at state level, and have had a word with the Tasmanian Cricket Association to this effect.

If the TCA have done some sort of deal along these lines, it smacks of gross ingratitude towards the previous captain Jamie Cox, who has led Tasmania impeccably since taking over from David Boon two years ago.

The Tigers finished third in the Pura Cup (Sheffield Shield) last year - a result bettered only twice in their history. And Cox's form with the bat has, if anything, improved since he assumed the leadership: with 1170 first-class runs at an average of 65 last season he was named Pura Cup Player of the Series, and he followed this up by leading Somerset to second in County Championship Division One, their highest position ever. There can be no on-field explanation for dumping him so unceremoniously.

But there may be another reason. Cox has issued the standard platitudes about stepping aside of his own free will, but in his case they may actually be true. His first child is on the way and he will be 32 in October, which still seems a touch elderly to an Australian sportsman, even in the age of the Waughs. He may be at the stage where a man re-thinks his priorities.

More subtle evidence also exists to support the theory that he jumped willingly. Tasmania, as the smallest state in Australia and the newest in terms of first-class competition, has produced only a handful of Test cricketers, and never a captain. Ponting is the best candidate in a generation for this honour, and such a high-profile appointment would do untold good for cricket on the island. It may therefore be that Cox was persuaded to take one for the team, as they say.

On the field, the question may turn out to be theoretical anyway. International duties mean that Ponting is unlikely to be wearing the dark green Tasmaninan cap for more than two or three first-class matches in the whole season, so Cox, as vice-captain, will end up leading the team anyway. And if he's the first to shake his compatriot's hand when he is appointed captain of Australia, you'll know why.

Dr Catherine Hanley is a Tasmanian living in Sheffield, England.

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