Ponting’s replacement likely to fill No.3 slot, says Mickey Arthur – Cricket News Update
Australian coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377’s replacement is most likely to slot-in at No.3 in the batting line-up, which will force the vice captain Shane Watson to take the Punter’s position.
After Ponting’s recent retirement, the Australian selection panel is yet to find a suitable replacement for the upcoming series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, scheduled to kick-off later this month.
“We haven't even discussed it yet [as a full selection panel], so I'm obviously putting a personal opinion. It will probably be a guy who will come in at three and possibly a move for Watto at four,” said Arthur.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, also stands in contention as a probable replacement.
Vice captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558 has played as an opener in the Australian side for almost two and half years. After his injury last year, which pushed him out of the entire season, he was moved to number three. Now he is most likely to bat at number four (Ponting’s spot), making room for the new entry.
Since http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Graham-Downton-c44379 Cowan were tried as openers, the middle-order has provided Australia with twice as many runs compared to the top order (first three batsmen), which adds to their worries.
“Cowan and Warner showed us glimpses this series. But we need a lot more consistency, especially from our top four because we know at five and six we've got the best batsman in the world going into this Test match [http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJ-Hussey-c1380. We just need top four to be giving us a really good platform,” added Arthur.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 ahead of the “ultimate” Ashes series, and it is very important for the Kangaroos to sort everything out in time, reflected the coach.
Australia will face Sri Lanka for 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20s on their home turf. The series should give them plenty of time to assess their line-up before the Ashes next year.
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