Ponting causes selection poser
The Age
Friday September 11, 2009
WHAT a delightful dilemma Australia's selectors find themselves in. During the Ashes they couldn't get it right, yet in this one-day series, they can't go wrong with batsmen and bowlers firing as the team eyes a 7-0 rout of England.Skipper Ricky Ponting will return to the line-up for tomorrow's fourth match at Lord's after taking a break from the opening three €” all won by a Michael Clarke-led outfit €” and now one high-performing batsman must go.With Ponting slotting back into his customary No. 3 position, Cameron White needs a new place but it would be unthinkable to drop the Victorian after his maiden one-day international century.Clarke, while struggling to score quickly, still scores well as was evidenced by his 52 at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday night when Australia won by six wickets.Callum Ferguson has been the head honcho so far, scoring back-to-back half centuries and an unbeaten 20 from 17 balls at the death in the last game.That leaves Michael Hussey and James Hopes in the firing line. Hussey has scored 20 from 15 in the first match, eight from 14 in the second and eight not out on Wednesday night, but his average in the past year is 53.36, and can you really drop a batsman in line to win the ICC's ODI Player of the Year award?And Hopes is such a crucial cog in the line-up, often breaking decisive partnerships with his bowling and scoring efficiently down the order. He is clearly the best limited-overs all-rounder in the country.White, who scored a definitive 105 in Southampton €” his first ODI ton €” worried that would not be enough."I'm not so sure [if I'll keep my spot]," he said. "I've put a good case forward to say I can bat anywhere really. I've really enjoyed the opportunity, so we'll see what happens on Saturday when we get to Lord's."If it means I'm sent back down to No. 7, I don't really mind. I'm just happy to be batting for Australia."In contrast, England can't seem to find someone who can hold a bat let alone score runs at the top of the order. Captain Andrew Strauss is playing a lone hand.White, when asked if a 7-0 result was possible, said: "Yes, at the moment, I think if we keep playing good, consistent cricket, keep bowling and fielding well, there's no reason why not."But in saying that, seven one-dayers against a really good side would be a pretty strange thing to happen, but I'm not saying it can't."Should Australia seal the series at Lord's, they are unlikely to experiment with their line-up before the Champions Trophy €” which they defend in South Africa immediately following this series."I definitely think we want to keep the momentum going, and I don't think we're playing at our total best at the moment," White said.
© 2009 The Age
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