Ponting defended Khawaja over the again spasms that derailed him in Perth, saying that every one batsmen suffered them every now and then and that it was unrelated to enjoying golf within the lead-up to the Test.
“I do know there was so much made about golf and all that form of stuff,” Ponting stated. “He may’ve performed golf earlier than each Test match he’s ever performed. It’s simply unhealthy timing to get a again spasm.
Travis Head salutes the Perth crowd after his outstanding knock within the first Ashes Test.Credit: AP
“Someone stated the opposite day, what if he’d gone for a 6km run after which acquired a again spasm, are we speaking about that, quite than a 6km stroll across the golf course?
“I’ve had them on the day earlier than a Test match, I’ve had them in the course of a Test match, you may’t transfer and so they’re horrible issues. I believe it was simply unhealthy timing and unhealthy luck for him.
“I don’t assume they [the selectors] will make any change and so they most likely shouldn’t. Being one nil up now, you wouldn’t assume they’d make any change.
“Whether he (Khawaja) makes it to Sydney or not is dependent upon what number of runs he makes in Brisbane if he performs. The solely foreign money you have got is runs, and in case you’re not getting runs, then you definitely go away your self open for scrutiny and for somebody to take your spot.”
Speaking on Seven’s assessment present earlier on Sunday, Ponting added that Head would be capable to make the same influence at quantity three, a place with which the previous captain is nicely acquainted after making 32 of his 41 Test lots of from there.
“He doesn’t need to open the play that manner both, anyplace within the high three,” Ponting stated.
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“The quantity three batsman has all the time been seen as being a counter puncher; somebody who can come out and be aggressive and alter the momentum.
“He can do this no matter what place he bats. Will it occur? I don’t assume so. But, I might completely like to see it, as a fan. As a cricket fan, an Australian cricket fan, I might like to see them do it and see if we will truly break England early.”
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