Hayden shines while Ponting struggles
Posted on Sep 12, 2008 at 15:39 | Updated Sep 13, 2008 at 11:18
2 Comments
Email 
Print
Mumbai: They say form is temporary but class is permanent in cricket but for a champion batsman like Ricky Ponting there has been an almost permanent slump in his batting form when it comes to playing Tests in India. In contrast, his teammate and opener Matthew Hayden’s sagging Test career was resurrected on Indian soil during the 2000-01 series.
The world champions, who, for the first time look vulnerable with an inexperienced (Test) pace attack as the current crop of speedsters, including their bowling spearhead Brett Lee are yet to play a Test match in India.
They have been severely handicapped with the retirements of Adam Gilchrist, Brad Hogg and Stuart MacGill.
Australian cricket has witnessed Andrew Symonds’ suspension, Lee’s personal problems and last but not the least injury woes for Ponting and Hayden. Clearly, not an auspicious time just before an important series.
Fit or unfit, both Ponting and Hayden have to produce match-winning knocks quite consistently if they want to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they won under controversial circumstances in Australia early this year.
However, former Indian captain and coach Ajit Wadekar has cautioned that the Australians are capable of finding suitable replacements and would be looking forward to avenging their triangular series to Dhoni’s men early this year.
“Indians just cannot take the Aussies lightly as they will find suitable replacements when they come to India. They are like wounded tigers right now and will be looking forward to avenge their tri-series loss. They will come at us hard, with or without their star players, and we have to be alert all the time,” Wadekar said.
| Ads by Google |
Total Comments: 2
Read All Comments | Post Comment
Posted By Philip
yeah....as if the indians have a superb bowling attack...huh.!!
Read Comment
Posted By kedar
the aussies have an extremely weak bowling attack.the onus is completely on ponting and hayden to consistently provide high scoring
Read Comment