Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has always been vocal about giving a string of opportunities to players before dropping them for good. Years after leaving his captaincy, Ponting still believes in the same method and has backed Joe Burns to open against Team India in the first Test at Adelaide. despite poor form.
Joe Burns scored just 5 runs in 39 balls in the two practice games he played against the Indian side ahead of the Test series whereas Marcus Harris scored 91 runs in 165 balls.
AUS v IND 2020-21: Ricky Ponting bats for Joe Burns as Test opener ahead of Will Pucovski
However, Ponting wants the Australian team management to pick Burns ahead of the left-handed Harris. He has given them two reasons for the same.
He believes that Burns has the ability to score Test hundreds unlike Harris and the dynamic opening duo of Burns and Wade can give them a left-right pair at the top.
Ponting told Channel Seven, "I’m sticking with Joe Burns. I’ve heard a lot of suggestions that he hasn’t scored enough runs to stay in the side but I’m keeping him in there. He made 40 in his last Test innings, he’s made four Test hundreds, averages almost 40 – I’m sticking with him and showing some faith. I think he’s good enough to get through it."
"What Marcus Harris hasn’t done is score (Test) hundreds - (his) highest score is 70-odd, (whereas) Joe Burns can score Test match hundreds. I’m sticking with him," he added.
The 45-year-old is of the opinion that wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will be happy to take up the opener's role, even though he gets the opportunity for just one game and that will be crucial for the home side.
Ricky Ponting said, "What I am doing is moving Matthew Wade up to the top of the order to open with (Burns), (give) a left-hand, right-hand combination. We saw last time India were out here and we had two left-handers at the top of the order, the India bowling attack absolutely dominated the two lefties, so that’s the way I’m going."
"I think you’ve got to tell Wade it’s just for one game. ‘Wadey’ will want to do it; he’ll be excited by this, he’s that sort of character that he’d love the chance to get up there and take on the Indian opening bowlers in a Test match. He won’t shy away from it," he concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)
