AUS vs AFG: Ricky Ponting Feels Pat Cummins May Get Replaced By Cameron Green For Important Super 12 Clash Against Afghanistan
Published - 03 Nov 2022, 01:41 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:14 AM
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The star fast Pat Cummins might miss Friday’s crucial match in Adelaide as a result of Australia’s quest of a crushing victory over Afghanistan to gain the run rate boost required to advance to the semi-finals.
Ricky Ponting, the captain of Australia’s World Cup-winning team, acknowledged that the selection committee may need to consider whether or not skipper Aaron Finch is able to fully heal from a hamstring injury in order to play.
Australia needs a huge victory, and Ponting indicated that if Finch recovers, his Monday 63 at the Gabba was sufficient for the tenacious skipper to keep his place. But in order for the defending champion to increase its net run rate and pass England into the second position in Group 1, it may be necessary to score huge runs.
Pat Cummins May Make Place For Cameron Green: Ricky Ponting
Ponting thinks Pat Cummins may need to make way so that Cameron Green can be freed because he has already drawn some criticism for his performance at this World Cup.
“If they are thinking about a quick going out, and this is going to be a tough decision for the selectors, but if they are thinking about that, then maybe it is Cummins that goes out and Green comes in,” Ponting said at the MCG on Thursday.
“They might have the luxury of playing the extra batsman and maybe let Green go to the top and absolutely tee off, or they use him as a floater in the middle order somewhere.
“Whichever way they go they’re going to have to take a real risk and [throw] caution to the wind and try and win that game as quickly and as comfortably as they can.
“If they lose trying to win it well then that’s the way it is.”
Mithcell Starc’s Not Bowling With New Ball Against Ireland Worked Well: Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting elevated Josh Hazlewood ahead of both Cummins, whose economy rate at the World Cup is over nine runs an over, and fellow quick Mitchell Starc in the pecking order, but Starc’s blitzkrieg against Ireland, bowling first change, showed his worth to the team.
“I think it‘s been a really good ploy for Starc to not open the bowling, his record in the last 12 or 18 months with the new ball is less than flattering,” Ponting said.
“What they‘ve done with using him outside the first couple of overs and through the middle has actually worked a treat.”
Questions Will Be Asked If Australia Fails To Reach Semi-finals: Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting conceded there would be “questions asked” if Australia, the defending champs, didn’t progress to the semi-finals at a home World Cup.
“If they don‘t make it through there’ll be some questions asked, I’m sure, because I had them in the top three coming here,” Ponting said.
“No one gave Australia a chance in the last one over in the UAE, in conditions that didn‘t suit, but then we’re home in our home conditions that all of these guys have been brought up in and played a lot of cricket.
“There can’t be any excuse as far as preparation is concerned.”
