'I’m Sticking With Him And Showing Some Faith'- Ricky Ponting Selects Incumbent Opener In Australia's Playing XI For The First Test Against India

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has announced his Australia’s playing eleven ahead of the first Test against India in Adelaide. It’s only nearly less than 24 hours before India and Australia resume their Test rivalry in the first of the four Tests at the Adelaide Oval to kickstart an epic Test series. Ricky Ponting, who named his playing eleven for the first Test, conceded that he would cop criticism for the same.

The reason why Ricky Ponting drew flak was he stuck with Joe Burns at the top of the order for the opening Test. The Queensland batsman has been woefully out of form, struggling not only in the Sheffield Shield this year but also in the warm-up matches against India, which were the auditions ahead of the Test series. But with the unavailability David Warner and Will Pucovski, the hosts might have to stick with Burns at the top.

Ricky Ponting acknowledged that he would have plenty of messages coming his way, saying Joe Burns has not done enough to be in the side. Yet, the Tasmanian decided to opt for Burns, who averages 40 and has made four Test centuries. Ponting claimed that he chose him and decided to show some faith.

“I’ll have a lot of messages and suggestions coming my way that he hasn’t scored enough runs to stay in the side, but I’m keeping him in there. 40 in his last Test innings, he’s made four-Test match hundreds, averages almost 40 – I’m sticking with him and showing some faith,” Ponting told 7cricket.

Ricky Ponting chooses Matthew Wade as Joe Burns’ opening partner:

In yet another surprising move but one that has been doing rounds, the former Australian captain selected Matthew Wade to open. The 45-year old pointed out that India dominated the two left-handers the last time; hence, he believes that a left-right combination will serve Australia well.

“What I am doing is moving Matthew Wade up to the top of the order. It gives a left-hand, right-hand combination. We saw last time India were out here, when we had two left-handers in our top order, the Indian bowling attack absolutely dominated the two lefties. I know I’ll cause a bit of a stir here, but that’s the way I’d go,” he added.

Ricky Ponting’s XI: Matthew Wade, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green (if fit), Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.

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