Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Sunday revealed his prediction for the three-match ODI series between India and Australia slated to begin in Mumbai from January 14 onwards.
Australia have rejigged their squad post the 2019 World Cup in England, dropping experienced campaigners such as Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell and giving chances to youngsters like Marnus Labuschagne and Ashton Turner.
Labuschagne has been picked specifically for his ability to tackle spin as shown by him in List A games back home and of course, in his short but successful Test career thus far.
“I think he’ll do a great job for Australia in the middle order,” Ponting tweeted. “He’s a very good player of spin, a very good runner between the wickets, gun in the field and can bowl some handy leg-spin so the overall package is very appealing.”
I think he'll do a great job for Australia in the middle order. He's a very good player of spin, a very good runner between the wickets, gun in the field and can bowl some handy leg spin so the overall package is very appealing https://t.co/AUaDdU9yWL
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) January 12, 2020
Earlier, Australian skipper Finch had also applauded the current form of Labuschagne as he highlighted the impact of the 25-year-old in Test cricket and said that he is ‘ready’ for the ODIs. “The improvement we have seen in Marnus’s game over the last 12 months has been huge and that has been reflected in his scores and the impact that he is having in test matches,” Finch said.
Ponting puts his weight behind the visitors to seal the series
Ponting, while revealing his prediction on Twitter, felt that Virat Kohli-led India will be keen to redeem themselves after a loss in the five-match ODI series at home last year.
“Australia will be full of confidence after an excellent World Cup and a great summer of Test cricket but India will be keen to redeem themselves from the last ODI series loss against Australia. Prediction: 2-1 Australia,” tweeted Ponting.
Australia will be full of confidence after an excellent World Cup and a great summer of Test cricket but India will be keen to redeem themselves from the last ODI series loss against Australia. Prediction: 2-1 Australia https://t.co/r5fIiLNs6Y
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) January 12, 2020
