http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558 replaces under-fire Ponting in the ODI squad – Cricket News Update
Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson will be making a comeback to the ODI squad in place of Ricky Ponting, after the former skipper was axed for the remainder of the ongoing Commonwealth Bank series Down Under.
Watson, who had been battling calf muscle injuries, recently played for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Western-Australia-c865 in the Sheffield Shield on February 17, in order to prove his regained fitness, and managed a total score of 52, in addition to taking a wicket.
“He is an all-rounder of proven class and the NSP is keen to have him re-join the squad,” chief selector, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Robert-John-Inverarity-c85980, said.
Watson will be featuring in the line-up as vice-captain, reclaiming his former position from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301. Michael Clarke, who was also out due to a hamstring complaint (with Ponting filling in as substitute captain), will be taking up his original position
as skipper for the upcoming match on February 24.
Meanwhile, Ponting, who had categorically stated that he was not planning to step down, was dropped from the team due to his recent poor performances in the ongoing triangular series. Despite Australia’s 110-run win against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 on February 19, the experienced
batsman only managed to score 7 runs – his highest score in the series so far.
“http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 has been dropped from the ODI side and the national selection panel has spoken about moving towards the 2015 World Cup," Inverarity said, hinting that Ponting’s ODI career might be drawing to a close. He added that while the door would never
be closed on the 37-year-old batsman, the panel was looking to move ahead with the younger players.
Other changes to the line-up include http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Matthew-Wade-c1933 has further been confirmed as the “preferred ODI wicket-keeper for the Australian ODI team", with the national
selector clearing the position of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BJ-Haddin-c1170, who will now be considered only as a Test specialist.
The national team will be locking horns with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 this Friday, at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart, for the 9th match of the series.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 ODI squad
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CJ-McKay-c1265, Matthew Wade, David Warner
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