Oz batsman not presenting irresistible case to axe Ponting from squad: Article

Melbourne, Feb 21(ANI): An article in an Australian daily has stressed on the need to include veteran batsman Ricky Ponting in the Test squad, taking into account that other batsmen are not presenting irresistable cases to axe him.

The Sydney Morning Herald article noted that both Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja have taken retrogressive steps this season, and added that "Shaun Marsh did not cope with the blowtorch that settled on him in his first summer as a Test batsman."

"Even Peter Forrest, an astute choice to be promoted to the one-day team this summer, who has made an excellent transition from state cricket and is regarded as a future Test batsman, averages only a tick over 36 in first-class cricket," it added.

The article also pointed out that Ponting scored runs at an average of 108.8 in the ongoing series against India and added that his return to the Tasmanian Sheffield Shield team would be a bonus for players who will play with and against him.

But it also said it does not imply that he should be allowed to play on for as long as he wants taking into account India's experience with veterans.

It said the Australian selectors, led by chairman John Inverarity, have shown that it is prepared to take tough decisions when required as indicated by the axing of Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin.

"As much as these selectors value Ponting's batting, fielding, experience and dressing-room presence, they will not allow him to slip into another interminable form slump. And Ponting, judging by his words and actions, will probably play on until he is dropped," the article concludes. (ANI)