AUS v IND 2018-19: Ricky Ponting doesn't want Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood to feature in ODIs against India

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins are the backbone of Australian bowling attack, says Ponting.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins walk out onto the field at the SCG | Getty Images

Ricky Ponting believes that the Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, who have bowled a lot of overs in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, should be rested to for the upcoming One Day International series against India to manage their workload.

The pace trio has been featured in all fixtures of the ongoing four-match Test Series Down Under at home, and former Australian skipper said he will be surprised if the national selectors pick them for the three-match ODI series against India starting from January 12.

While, Hazlewood (137.1 overs), Cummins (136) and Starc (130.5) have already toiled hard in the ongoing Test series, Australia will next play Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series after ODI series against India.

And Ponting feels Australia must keep the trio fit at any cost, as they are the backbone of the Australian bowling attack with World Cup 2019 on the horizon and they should be given rest after India Tests to be ready for Lanka series. 

Ponting told cricket.com.au, “I'd be really surprised if any of these three actually play in that one-day series. It's vital we keep those three guys fit, and with Nathan Lyon as well. They are the backbone; they are the attack we're going to have going into the Sri Lankan series.”

He signed off by saying, “They'll be put in cotton wool after this Test match and given the right amount of break and time to get ready for the Sri Lanka Tests.”

(With Cricket Australia Network Input)         

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 03 Jan, 2019

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