Ricky Ponting feels that all-rounder Mitchell Marsh can overtake Hardy if he is fully fit. file | Photo Credit: Reuters
Cricket legend Ricky Ponting has predicted some surprise inclusion in the Australian squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final and the Ashes in England, which is currently touring India.
Australia recently made it to the WTC final at The Oval in June after securing the required percentage points following their nine-wicket win against India in the third Border-Gavaskar Test at Indore.
The spin-friendly tracks in India prompted Australia to select a team suited to subcontinent conditions. They included Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb – two good players of spin – for the series, in addition to a clutch of spinners including Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnman and Todd Murphy.
With conditions in England expected not to favor spinners, Ponting feels the selectors are likely to pick new pacers Lance Morris and Aaron Hardie for the two-month tour of England.
“Lance Morris is part of that [India] Squad and maybe someone like Aaron Hardy [could be a surprise inclusion], i actually dumped him [Hardie] Call when Cameron Green was about to miss that last Test [against South Africa due to finger injury] In Sydney,” Ponting told the ICC Review on Wednesday.
“I put Aaron Hardy’s name in as an all-rounder, similar player to Green, not as quick with the ball, but a very good batsman who got a great hundred [domestic] Sheffield Shield final last year.”
The veteran felt that if all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was fully fit, he could overtake Hardy.
“But his [Hardie] Selection could hinge on someone like Mitchell Marsh who, if he is fully fit, will probably find his way to England as a back-up all-rounder to Cameron Green.”
When asked if Renshaw and Handscomb, the two potentially good players of spin bowling, would be in the team going to England, Ponting said, “Matt Renshaw was picked on that. [India] tour because everyone felt he was a good player of spin. Peter Handscomb was selected on this tour of India because he is a good player of spin bowling.
“I think you’ve seen through this series at different times. But when you think about the different circumstances in the UK, I wouldn’t be surprised if none of those guys were on that tour.” Is.
“I think there is a good chance that Renshaw will be on that tour, but I am not so sure about Handscomb whether he will be able to make it to England.”
Ponting, who played 168 Tests and 275 ODIs, also felt that left-handed opener Marcus Harris could get a chance for an English summer assignment.
“Someone like Marcus Harris could get another chance to get back into the Ashes team. He was part of the team in the Australian summer without actually playing.”
On the ongoing Test series against India, Ponting said that his countrymen will take away a lot of positives. Australia are currently trailing the series 1-2 but the former captain said the team showed a lot of spirit by winning the third Test in Indore.
“I think all spinners [have performed well] … And I think at different times, most of the batsmen have really shown that they can face those situations and survive.
“The fast bowlers haven’t got a chance to bowl and Australia have had players in and out as well. But I think, Usman [Khawaja]travis [Head], [Marnus] Labushen, [Steve] Smith and then all the spinners who have played, I think there are some real positives.
“It’s a bit of a shame that it took Australia as early as the third Test to find the right style of play.”
Australia will play the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad from Thursday.