Senior players need to fill the gap left by Ponting: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Robert-John-Inverarity-c85980 – Cricket News Update
Following the axing of former captain and veteran batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 from Australia’s ODI squad, the chief selector, John Inverarity, has expressed the hope that other senior players will step up to fill the void left by him.
The 37-year-old’s knowledge of the game was considered invaluable for the grooming of some of the upcoming youngsters in the team, while his winning attitude made him a key figure both, on and off the field. Younger players admitted to have benefitted enormously
from his guidance and experience.
“[Ponting's] batting has been outstanding, his fielding's been brilliant and his captaincy record is outstanding as well. His contribution in the dressing room has been a feature of his contribution to the team. When he goes all four of those aspects need
to be covered,” Inverarity said.
The top-order batsman, who made his debut in 1995, in an ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864. He has had an illustrious career, spanning 375 one-days (with 13704 runs scored) and 162 Tests (with 13200 runs). However, Punter’s recent batting slump, which
saw him score a total of 18 runs during the five innings of the ongoing triangular home series, finally forced the selection panel to exclude him from the limited-overs line-up.
The chief selector was referring in particular to the 30-year-old vice-captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558, who will be making a comeback to the national squad after recovering from a calf muscle strain, saying he would be required to handle all the areas previously covered
by Ponting.
“His role in the team is to play very good cricket, batting, bowling and fielding," Inverarity said, referring to Watson. "There is a gap in that regard [leadership] with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ricardo-Gouveia-c84824 not being in the side, and a gap that needs to be filled, and the senior players
need to step up for that.”
The chief selector also clarified that the recovering all-rounder’s inclusion in the playing XI for the upcoming match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 is recovering steadily, there is a chance he might not be fully ready by Friday, and
for this reason, his return to the international stage might be delayed till Sunday, February 26, when the Aussies face off against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
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