Walters' 'googly' has Ponting hit for 'six'

Melbourne, Feb 12(ANI): Former Australian cricketer Doug Walters has said Ricky Ponting should be used to boost the Australian Test team's middle order, rather than face the shiny new ball, as he has been doing for a long time now.

"I've said this ever since he was relieved of the captaincy. We batted him at four [against India] and we lost those two early wickets quickly [throughout the series], so he copped the new ball all the time," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Walters, as saying.

"But playing at No.5 or 6 would mean he didn't have to come in against the shiny new ball every time he comes in to bat as he has done. I think it'd be a good move," he added.

His statement comes after Ponting scored runs at an average of 108.8 in the recently- concluded Test series against India.

Walters revealed he had long believed that Ponting would benefit from being dropped down the order from No.4.

Australian coach Mickey Arthur had earlier said he viewed all-rounder Shane Watson as a middle-order batsman in the wake of the pair of David Warner and Ed Cowan emerging as openers. (ANI)