Ricky Ponting believes star quick Pat Cummins’ position for Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup crunch match could be in jeopardy.
The Australian legend has floated the idea of Cummins, the country’s Test and ODI captain, being left out for Friday’s decisive game against Afghanistan.
Australia need a monster win at Adelaide Oval to boost their net run-rate to be guaranteed of jumping above England into second place in Group 1.
Questions remain over Australia’s XI, with captain Aaron Finch and big-hitting batter Tim David in doubt with hamstring concerns.
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But even if Finch is declared fit to play, Ponting is open to the idea of Cummins making way for all-rounder Cameron Green’s first appearance of the tournament.
(Photo by Matt Roberts – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
“If they are thinking about a quick going out, and this is going to be a tough decision for the selectors, but if they are thinking about that then maybe it is Cummins that goes out and Green comes in,” the 168-Test great told reporters at the MCG on Thursday.
“There’s been some negativity around around Pat, but these guys quite often are bowling all the hard overs.
“When you’re bowling up front and bowling at the death, you’ve got to be expected to go for a few more runs.”
Cummins’ fellow quicks, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, have done enough to secure their spots, according to Ponting.
Pat Cummins of Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“I think it’s been a really good ploy for Starc to not open the bowling, his record in the last 12 or 18 months with the new ball is less than flattering,” Ponting said.
“What they’ve done with using him outside the first couple of overs and through the middle has actually worked a treat.”
Defending champions Australia will miss out on qualifying for the semi-finals if England win big against Sri Lanka at the SCG on Saturday.
“If they don’t make it through there’ll be some questions asked, I’m sure, because I had them in the top-three coming here,” Ponting said.
“No one gave Australia a chance in the last one over in the UAE, in conditions that didn’t suit but then we’re home in our home conditions that all of these guys have been brought up in and played a lot of cricket.
“There can’t be any excuse as far as preparation is concerned.”
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
His state? It's unstated.
DTM
Roar Rookie
After 50 years of watching, playing, coaching, umpiring and being an administrator, I can't believe this is a serious suggestion. In 2022 a 47 year old Ricky Ponting as captain would be a better option than Paine. Or maybe 50 year old Adam Gilchrist?
Clear as mud
Guest
wow. i thought you were being ironic. maybe you still are? I hope you are....?
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
Dtm, that’s a bit harsh. Cummins is an option but he arguably should lose his spot. Smith isn’t in the team. Paine is a proven performer under pressure. Get him in there stat! It could be the master stroke that saves our World Cup
Clear as mud
Guest
and if you saw Trav's shot the other day you would mark his cards for good. sadly, because when he goes, he really goes.
Clear as mud
Guest
yes but prefer the Band these days. I overdosed on Dylan to the extent of nearly all else from about 75-87. now i prefer to wiggle at the desk to stuff like this, timeless genius. and the Saints. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtqF0qBqzZo
DTM
Roar Rookie
Yes, they were lacking leadership when Finch left the field. This shows up the poor planning by the coach and the captain. There is no vice captain in the team and the decision to annoint Wade was made on the run. Nobody in the team respects him for his leadership qualities so it was a dogs breakfast out there. There were plenty of other options but the team should have a vice captain. As for Paine, that is the dumbest suggestion I have read on the Roar. He doesn't even play BBL. He has played a total of 12 T20I - the last one being in 2017. His leadership was mediocre at best before the texting scandal and now he has zero credibility.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Sorry Tony. Sarcasm is sometimes hard to detect in writing. Republic of Dufty gave a little hint when he didn't know what state Don follows.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Stonis – how he has come into test contention I will never understand He's not. No one, and I mean no one, is talking about him playing test cricket. Smith – should be playing Shield not carrying drinks in T20 I must admit, I tend to agree with this. It's not really clear what the point of selecting Smith was. If it was to pick him for selected games, what games were they and why didn't they do it? Surely the plan was never to suddenly drop him into a semi-final. As the home nation, there was no issue with dropping him into the side as an injury replacement, so why not leave him out of the squad to play Shield and then rope him in as an injury replacement if it became necessary? Carey's doing alright in the Shield, about what you'd expect - he's never going to be that great of a batsman. Head- very bad start os Shield (questioning his spot in the XI) I must admit I tend to agree with this. I really like Head and really want him to succeed, but he's was a passenger on the two tours this year and he's yet to show anything overseas in any of his four tours - his highest score away actually came in his first test and he's only passed fifty twice overseas. I'm very concerned that he won't be up to series in India and England next year. The concern is that the Windies are such a poor team that if he does get selected, he's got an opportunity to score easy runs and keep his spot.
Albo
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
The Bush
Roar Guru
Time to start the re-building process in the T20 game for Australia. This'll happen organically. Finch will be gone after this tournament. Wade has made comments that he's done after this tournament. Smith has already been side-lined. I also doubt they'll keep on all of Warner (36), Maxwell (34) and Stoinis (33) for the next world cup. Probably the most interesting call they'll need to make is around Cummins, though perhaps the realities of captaining the Test and ODI sides will see him deselect himself from here on out.
Tony H
Roar Pro
It most certainly has been suggested on this site, by me if no one else.
Republican
Guest
......& never underestimate the Sami?
Republican
Guest
I reckon the Afghans will give us a run for our money and possibly cause an upset. The pathetic effort v NZ combined with what is an inherent Aussie complacency v Ireland, says it all really.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Love the Band. Are you a Dylan fan as well?
Clear as mud
Guest
You make this Stoinis stuff up, get called, and just do it again. you ARE Donald Trump!
Clear as mud
Guest
in Rick we trust. Second best Rick ever, after Danko
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Finch will make a miraculous recovery in time to score a heroic 27 from 49 balls depriving us from someone who might get 67 from 41. A Finch in the Hand is worth an Avery Bushed
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
No they haven’t. It hasn’t been suggested at all especially on this site. I don’t even know which state you follow, Don. Freo sounds like it has a Mediterranean heritage
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
They were lacking leadership when finch left the field. If he’s injured this match they should consider injury subbing in Tim Paine. I know it’s left field but he’s full the leadership void in a crisis under pressure and he’s also better gloves. Can’t afford drop catches in do or die matches. Plus it would engage the fans that don’t otherwise care atm