Published: 15th Dec,2020 3:47PM
Ricky Ponting decided to stick with Joe Burns despite his series of failures in recent times.
The much-awaited Pink ball Test between Australia and India would take place on December 17 at Adelaide. The two cricketing giants of the world would leave no stone unturned to mould things in their favour. The practice sessions have already taken place, and both teams know wherein they need to level up the game. In the same reference, former Australia great Ricky Ponting has named his Test XI that would face India in Adelaide.
Ponting admitted that his XI would ‘cause a stir’ as he chose to go with Joe Burns as his opener. Despite his series of dismal performances while playing for Australia A, Ponting decided to stick with the incumbent. Opener David Warner and Will Pucovski are already out of contention due to their respective injuries.
“I’ll have a lot of messages and suggestions coming my way that he hasn’t scored enough runs to stay in the side, but I’m keeping him in there. 40 in his last Test innings, he’s made four-Test match hundreds, averages almost 40 – I’m sticking with him and showing some faith,” Ponting told 7Cricket.
The other options for openers have slim chances to make it to the first Test, and hence, Ponting went with Burns. However, Burns’ chances were also dealt with a huge blow when Moises Henriques was called up for the Test squad on Monday. Meanwhile, the ace batsman has also decided to move Matthew Wade up the order so that left and right-hand combination can be settled.
A left and right-hand combination at opening would be fine: Ricky Ponting
“What I am doing is moving Matthew Wade up to the top of the order. It gives a left-hand, right-hand combination. We saw last time India were out here, when we had two left-handers in our top order, the Indian bowling attack absolutely dominated the two lefties. I know I’ll cause a bit of a stir here, but that’s the way I’d go.”
Australia coach Justin Langer also confirmed that Cameron Green might also make it to the squad if found fit enough.
Ponting finally summed his playing XI as– Matthew Wade, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green (if fit), Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
