Australia vs India 2018: Ricky Ponting Talks About Australia's Playing XI for Perth Test

Former Australia skipper, Ricky Ponting says the hosts should retain the playing XI for their second Test and also to maintain the same batting order. However, Aaron Finch’s men had lost the first Test of the four-match Test series against India in Adelaide by 31 runs. Meanwhile, former Australian batsman Mike Hussey suggested Usman Khawaja can preferably be the better option to open the batting with Marcus Harris. However, the pitch will remain a seam-friendly condition, and Aaron Finch would move down the order.

No alteration in the XI – Ricky

“Why wouldn’t they do that for this game if that’s their best line-up?” Ricky Ponting told cricket.com.au when asked if Finch should bat down the order.

Moreover, Ponting said the selectors had thought Finch would be suitable as an opener. He also added shuffling the batting line-up might also hamper the team and some of the players.

“I just think that’d be really reactionary. The selectors have made a decision, or whoever is setting the batting order, that they think Aaron Finch is the right guy to be opening the batting for Australia.” Ricky Ponting said.

Furthermore, the 43-year-old further said Finch and Khawaja might be trained differently for the next Test to perform well in the game. Ponting says shuffling creates uncertainty and he would not want it knowing Australia is already lagging in the Tests.

Shuffling creates uncertainties – Ponting

“When you start moving guys around, it just creates more uncertainty. Finch would potentially train differently next week than he had this week because he’s not opening (and) Usman has to train differently because he is opening. Little things like that would come into their minds. If I was them, I’d be tempted to keep it the same way.” Ricky Ponting concluded.

Meanwhile, the second Test of the four-match Test series will commence from December 14 in Perth.