"We Know What Travis Head Did In 2023 World Cup Final"- Ricky Ponting triggers Rohit Sharma
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Legendary captain Ricky Ponting has picked some of the Australian players who need to stand up in the semi-final match against India in Dubai. Ponting feels that the experienced players need to step up their game in such an important match.
Ricky Ponting picked Travis Head, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Josh Inglis to step up their game and do the damage in the batting department. He feels that these experienced players have the responsibility to do well in a crunch game like this one.
Australia have a power-packed batting line-up which is in good form as well. However, the bowling line-up is weakened especially because of the absence of their first-choice fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.
Also read: Brad Haddin openly threatens Gautam Gambhir before India vs Australia Champions Trophy Semi-Final
Ricky Ponting asks Australia's "big boys to stand up"
During a conversation with the ICC, Ricky Ponting was asked about the players from the Australian team who can make a difference in this match and silence the high-intensity Indian crowd at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Ponting named Travis Head and Steve Smith as the players who can produce match-winning performances for Australia. Both these batters have a scintillating record against India and are highly experienced players capable of doing well in big games.
"Some of those names I mentioned a little bit earlier but there's still a lot of high quality players that have had impacts in the tournament already. We know what Travis Head did in that (2023) World Cup final. He is someone that could silence the crowd really quickly," Ponting noted.
"Steve Smith could do the same through those middle overs if he locks himself in and decides to play one of those really long, patient innings and sort of build a score. He could be someone that could keep them quiet," he added.
Ricky Ponting further named Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell who can play memorable knocks in this match. Both the batters looked in superb form against England and will back themselves to carry on their good form.
"We saw what (Josh) Inglis can do as well with his unbelievable hundred early on. Glenn Maxwell made a really rapid fire 30 in that game against England. So, there's enough names there that can keep the crowd quiet," he said.
Ricky Ponting asks seniors to step up
Ricky Ponting asked the team's senior players to step up in an important game like this and felt that the responsibility can't be left to the inexperienced bowlers. He believes that the situation is different from the ODI World Cup 2023 since Australia will be without their first-choice quicks.
"Probably a little bit different to the World Cup final. I know Travis did what he did but the bowlers did a great job in that as well. (Pat) Cummins did a great job with his spell. Adam Zampa is another one. If in the middle overs he can make an impact for Australia, then he'll silence the crowd too," said Ponting.
"So, there's enough there and as I said the Australian senior players rally need to stand up in a game like this. So, it's got to be Head, it's got to be Smith, it's got to be Zampa. You can't rely on (Ben) Dwarshuis, (Nathan) Ellis, (Spencer) Johnson. It has to be the big boys to stand up," he added.
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India go as favorites
India will go into this match as favorites as the match is to be played on a surface that is expected to assist spin. The Men in Blue have four high-quality spinners in their ranks who will pose a big threat to the opposition.
On the other hand, Australia's batting is their strength and it will be a good contest between them and India's spinners. Australia have the habit of doing well in knockout games and India will be wary of that.
