WTC Final: David Warner, Ravichandran Ashwin snubbed as Ricky Ponting picks combined Test XI

By India Today Sports Desk: Australian good Ricky Ponting revealed his combined Test XI by deciding on avid gamers from the Australia and India squads ahead of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The WTC final will occur from June 7-11 on the Oval. Ahead of the competitors, Ponting based totally his alternative on newest kind reasonably than reputation, aiming for a stability between left and right-handed avid gamers.

At the very best of the order, Ponting chosen Rohit Sharma and Usman Khawaja ahead of David Warner as a result of the opening batters, with Rohit named as a result of the group’s captain attributable to his administration experience. Marnus Labuschagne was chosen as a result of the No.3 for his distinctive effectivity in latest instances.

“I’ll start with Usman Khawaja. His last couple of years, whether it has been in Australia or away, have been outstanding at the top of the order,” Ponting talked about on The ICC Review podcast. “I’m going left hand-right hand, so I’ll go for Rohit Sharma as the other opener. He’s not just entirely form-based either. I wanted him to be captain of the side.

“Since he (Labuschagne) bought right here into Test cricket as a concussion sub at Lord’s when Steve Smith purchased hit by Jofra Archer, he’s hardly put a foot flawed,” Ponting said. “He’s improved and can be found on in leaps and bounds to be the place he is now, correct on the excessive of the world Test Batting Rankings, so it was pretty arduous to go earlier him.”

Ponting then picked Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, two of the greatest batters of the last decade, for the middle order. Ravindra Jadeja, whose batting has significantly improved in Test cricket, was chosen as the all-rounder.

“Pretty arduous to go earlier the next couple I’ve purchased inside the batting line-up, which can be Virat Kohli and Steve Smith,” Ponting said. “If you focus on good avid gamers of the ultimate decade, every of these guys is likely to be correct on the excessive of anyone’s file. Both with distinctive Test information and every make numerous a complete bunch.

“What I’ve seen with Ravi Jadeja the last two or three years in Test cricket is how much his batting has improved, and he can easily hold down a number six or number seven spot.”

Ponting chosen Alex Carey as a result of the wicket-keeper, acknowledging his distinctive defending experience. The bowling assault consisted of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mohammad Shami, and Nathan Lyon. Ponting praised Starc’s wonderful effectivity before now 12 months and Shami’s newest kind in Test cricket.

With a formidable lineup, Ponting expressed confidence in his combined XI, stating that he wouldn’t should be on the opposing group going by means of them. He emphasised that the group had all bases coated and anticipated an intriguing World Test Championship final.

Ricky Ponting’s combined India-Australia Test XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mohammed Shami

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