MELBOURNE, May 12: Australian captain Ricky Ponting wants his countrymen to switch from the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) to their team’s Test series against the West Indies.

With a battle for TV ratings expected between the IPL and the Test series in coming days, Ponting urged the Australian cricket fans to watch their current stars than retired greats in the IPL which is being shown on free-to-air and in a similar time slot.

“I’d like to think most people in Australia will be watching their team represent their country over a couple of other guys — retired guys most of them now — representing an Indian franchise,” he said before the team’s departure for the West Indies.

“I know if I was sitting back in my room, being a cricket traditionalist I am, I would certainly be watching Test cricket over the IPL,” Ponting, who had an ordinary outing at the IPL while representing Kolkata Knight Riders, stated.—Agencies