Ricky Ponting expects revamped Australian side for Ashes and World Test Championship final

Even though Australia currently trailing 2-1 against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former skipper Ricky Ponting stated there have been plenty of positives for the Pat Cummins-led side in the series. However, the 48-year-old believes that in order to do well in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final and in the Ashes, the think-tank needs to take some tough calls and make a few changes in the squad.

According to Ponting, the spinners have performed well against the hosts in the current series and among batters, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have shown that they can survive and do well in the testing conditions of India. He also mentioned that it’s really unfortunate that the tourists took such a long time to find the right style of play.

“I think all the spinners (have performed well) … and I think at different times, most of the batters have actually shown that they can cope and survive in those conditions. The quicks haven't had a chance to bowl and Australia have had the guys coming in and out as well. But I think, Usman (Khawaja), Travis (Head), (Marnus) Labuschagne, (Steve) Smith and then all of the spinners that have played, I think there are some real positives there. 

It's just a bit of a shame that it's taken Australia to the start of the third Test match to find the right style of play,” Ponting said in the latest episode of The ICC Review.

Australian legend Ricky Ponting bats for new faces for upcoming England tour and WTC Final

Meanwhile talking about the changes that he expects for the two-month England tour, the former cricketer stated that he is not sure if Peter Handscomb will make it to the squad. He also batted in the favour of Marcus Harris and Aaron Hardie, who is yet to make his Test debut for the Kangaroos.

“I think there's a good chance that Renshaw will be on that tour, but I'm not so sure about Handscomb and if he’ll make it to England or not. Someone like Marcus Harris might even get another opportunity back into that Ashes squad. He was part of the squads through the Australian summer without actually playing.

Lance Morris is part of that (India) squad and maybe someone like Aaron Hardie (could be a bolter too). I actually threw his (Hardie) name up when Cameron Green was going to miss that last Test (against South Africa) in Sydney,” Ponting suggested.

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