Ricky Ponting Backs Usman Khawaja and Terms Him as 'Best Batsman by a Street'

Former Australian cricketer, Ricky Ponting has backed Test specialist Usman Khawaja to overcome his struggles and play in the absence of Steven Smith and David Warner by stating him as “best batsman by a street”.

However, Australia will play a series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates starting from September 28, 2018.

Top-order batsman Khawaja will play as one of the most important players in the side, following the suspensions of Smith, Warner, and opener Cameron Bancroft in the wake of an infamous ball-tampering saga in Cape Town.

The left-handed batsman Khawaja has been a dominant player on home soil. He is averaging nearly 60 with the bat in Tests matches in Australia.

Moreover, former skipper for Kangaroos, Ponting said that there is a lot of discussions going over the last couple of years. Ponting maintained it was a conversation where people are talking about how to get the best results from Khawaja.

“There’s been lots of different discussions over the last couple of years about Khawaja and how to get the get the best out of him,” Ponting told cricket.com.au. “

 

“(People wonder), ‘is he an Australian Test match player only? Do we just not pick him on the subcontinent?” Ponting added.

However, Ricky Ponting believes the management should pick him in the absence of Warner. Ponting also mentioned that Usman Khawaja is the best batsman ‘by a street’.

The more opportunity he will get to play he will surely deliver something productive out of it. Khawaja will also try to work out on his loopholes.

“I just think you’ve got to keep picking him – with Warner and those guys out, he’s clearly our best batsman by a street. The more he can play in those conditions, the more he’ll start to work it out.” Ponting added.

Australia will play a four-day practice match against Pakistan A. However, Australia will play two Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals with Pakistan schedule from September 29, 2018.