Ashes 2021-22: Ricky Ponting Feels Usman Khawaja Could Replace Injured David Warner For Adelaide Test

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting wants Usman Khawaja to play in place of David Warner in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Warner did not take to the field at all on Friday having suffered severe bruising to his ribs after being struck two nasty blows while batting on day two when he scored 94 in the first innings.

The Australian opener did not come to bat in Australia’s 20-run chase on the fourth day as wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey and Marcus Harris opened the innings for Australia.

Usman Khawaja goes in to open the batting if David Warner cannot play: Ricky Ponting

Khawaja has scored 460 runs from five games at an average of 65.71 and played a splendorous knock of 174 against South Australia in a Sheffield Shield game.

Ponting feels Khawaja, who hasn’t played a Test match for Australia for the last two years, should replace Warner in case the latter has a serious injury.

“If (Warner) can’t play, I think it’s probably Khawaja that goes in and opens the batting. Although he hasn’t done it the last couple years for Queensland he’s done it for Australia before,” Ponting was quoted as saying cricket.com.au.

“He’s (Usman Khawaja) obviously in really good form, so I think that’s probably the way to go. I think he’s experienced enough, but the fact he hasn’t done it for a while would be a bit of a concern,” he added.

It’s a worry: Ricky Ponting on David Warner’s injury

Ponting observed that Warner came out with a chest guard and feels his injury is worrisome for Australia.

“It’s a worry that he’s not out there at all. We’ll have a better idea when he bats or if he bats at all in the second innings,” Ponting said.

“I noticed that after he got hit, he came out after one of the breaks and you could see that he had a little (chest) guard over that area. I got a bit worried about it then because I’ve never seen him with a chest guard on before,” he added.

“Even if it’s just bruising, I would think that he’d be out there fielding so there might be a bit more to it than what we’re hearing,” Ponting further said.

Australia defeated England in the first Tes by nine wickets in Brisbane and now both teams will move to Adelaide for the next game starting on December 16.

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