Australia will start their two-match Check collection in opposition to Sri Lanka with the primary sport to be performed on the Galle Worldwide Cricket Stadium, Galle, from January 29.
With out the companies of normal skipper Pat Cummins, star batter Steven Smith will act because the captain for the Australians within the collection, with Travis Head as his deputy. Taking part in in subcontinent, the Aussies are anticipated to play extra spinners, as they’ve additionally added names like Matthew Kuhnemann and Toddy Murphy of their squad. In the meantime, the batting mantle is complicated with query arising on younger opener Sam Konstas’ place within the aspect.
Nonetheless, former Australia captain and legendary cricketer Ricky Ponting has opined that Smith & Co. may be tempted so as to add Konstas within the Taking part in XI for the primary Check. Ponting was impressed with the batter’s debut in opposition to India within the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and is hoping Konstas to offer a variety of leisure within the upcoming collection as properly.
“I feel they are going to decide Konstas and I feel they need to decide Konstas. He’s the one they’ve recognized, he has hit the bottom operating right here in his first innings as properly. He offered a variety of leisure and a variety of buzz round that complete collection. I feel they should play him, to be trustworthy. It’s a onerous place to play and a tough place to win,” Ponting informed the Sydney Morning Herald.
Sri Lanka will probably be a tough place to bat: Ponting
Moreover, the veteran cricketer additionally famous that Australian batters will discover it onerous to get runs below their belt on Sri Lankan pitches, due to the subcontinent situations. The dearth of expertise among the many gamers within the squad is one thing that Ponting reckons would make it troublesome for them to attain.
“It will likely be a tough place to bat for all of our guys, however particularly a few of the youthful guys who haven’t skilled these situations a lot previously. However I feel they need to decide Konstas, it is going to be an excellent studying expertise for him. I’d be selecting him if I used to be a selector,” he added.
For the unversed, Australia have already certified for the World Check Championship ultimate, the place they are going to face South Africa on the Lord’s in London beginning June 11. Because of this, the upcoming red-ball collection could be confident-building for them as they give the impression of being to retain the title, which they received in opposition to India in 2023 within the second version.
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