Australia vs India: Ricky Ponting puts forth his hosts’ eleven for Sydney Test

Having lost the third Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) by 137 runs, Australia find themselves in deep trouble as they are staring at their maiden home Test series defeat against India. After losing the opening match at Adelaide Oval by 31 runs, Tim Paine and Co made an incredible comeback in Perth, winning by 137 runs, but couldn’t continue their winning momentum.

In the meantime, former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has put forth his playing eleven for the upcoming Test at Sydney Cricket Ground, starting Thursday, January 3. The 44-year-old believes that spin-bowling all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne, who has been brought as a backup, should play.

I can’t really think what else they can do

Ponting has included Mitchell Marsh, who is expected to face the axe after a lacklustre show in Melbourne. Moreover, the veteran feels Aaron Finch, who has scored 97 runs in three matches at an abysmal average of 16.16 should miss out in case Labuschagne comes into the playing eleven.

“I’ve seen Labuschagne has come into the line-up so to me straightaway that means Finch has to miss out and Usman will open the batting, I’d imagine. That’s how it looks – Labuschagne probably bats four, (Travis) Head five and Mitch Marsh six – I think that’s the way they’re going to line up,” Ponting was quoted as saying in cricket.com.au.

“I can’t really think what else they can do. The selectors and the captain and coach have obviously had a long chat about what they want and what they expect. We’ll see how they line up,” he added.

The South Africa-born Labuschagne made his international debut in the two-match Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 24-year-old plied his trade in both the matches and churned out seven wickets with best bowling figures of 3/45 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, however, couldn’t make much impact with the bat, having scored only 81 runs at an average of 20.25.

“He looked impressive a couple of times in the UAE in the Tests over there. (He) bowled well, which is something they’re probably thinking about for the SCG Test as well. To be honest I haven’t seen a lot of him … I’ll reserve my judgment until I see a little more,” Ponting, a veteran of 168 Tests, 375 ODIs and 17 T20Is, remarked.

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