Ricky Ponting bats for Will Pucovski: Former Australian captain has lent ample support for the uncapped batsman against Sri Lanka.
Advertisement
Australia’s 13-member squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka saw three major inclusions, that of uncapped Victoria batsman Will Pucovski and Queensland pair of Matt Renshaw and Joe Burns.
The three of them coming in place of opening batsman Aaron Finch, middle-order batsman Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh means that the first Test at Brisbane on January 24 will see at least a couple of changes (in place of Shaun Marsh and Handscomb) from the team which played the last Test against India at Sydney.
Pucovski is not ready. He’s played 6 Shield games and has taken a break from the game for mental health reasons. So yeah sure let’s throw him into the national spotlight #AUSvSL
— The Brain Thinker (@eamonnwarner) January 9, 2019
Pucovski is a nice story and I really hope he kills it, but why are we rushing a guy with 500 first class runs into the team? I know the cupboard is quite bare and untried youth is always exciting, but …
— Michael Whiting (@MichaelWhiting) January 9, 2019
All the three inclusions were also named in the CA XI squad which is currently playing against Sri Lanka in the tour match. There was an opinion that two best run-scorers would take the field at Brisbane.
CA XI captain Burns’ decision of electing to bat saw the hosts being reduced to 25-3 as both the opening batsmen in Renshaw (7) and Burns (4) were dismissed cheaply. Pucovski, who came out to bat at No. 5, bettered the senior duo much couldn’t do much himself scoring 23 (54) with the help of four fours.
Why I hate the leaks;
-CA probably haven’t told Wil or the Marshes or Finch so they find our via media
– What if it doesn’t play out for some reason and Wil’s hopes are built up and then broken
– It is just lacking professionalism— Dennis Zampa (@DennisCricket_) January 9, 2019
Joe Burns win the toss and the CA XI will bat first in perfect conditions at Blundstone Arena. Live stream from 2pm on https://t.co/7zqZfe74xF pic.twitter.com/o6OKcmZKLP
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2019
In an interview with 7 News, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed his opinion regarding who should play in the first Test against Sri Lanka. “I think Pucovski goes straight in, I think he’ll bat at six in the Test match,” Ponting told 7 News.
While Ponting confirmed the playing of Pucovski, he saw the other two fighting for one spot. “Then I think it will just about be a batting competition between Renshaw and Burns in that game. Whichever one of those two looks the best in the game and scores the most runs, I think will play in the Test match,” Ponting added.
Watch the video below:
Spots in our next Test team go on the line in Hobart from tomorrow. “I think Pucovski goes straight in. I think he’ll bat six in the Test Match, and I think it will be a batting competition between Renshaw and Burns” – Ricky Ponting speaking to @JimWilsonTV. @7Cricket #7News pic.twitter.com/dhGMxSaxle
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) January 16, 2019
