With Ponting gone, who will get the nod for the Hobart test?

Alex Doolan on his way to 161 not out for Australia A against South Africa.

A resurgent South Africa and injuries to bowlers foiled Australia’s bid to becoming the number one test nation, and with Ricky Ponting retiring and an ashes series looming, what direction will the selectors take into the series against Sri Lanka?

The first question is who will replace Ponting at number three? The five leading candidates are Rob Quiney, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Alex Doolan and Callum Ferguson.

Quiney although having failed in his first two tests has the backing of Ponting , as well as Shane Warne, and perhaps deserves another chance against a far less formidable bowling attack than he faced against South Africa.

Phil Hughes is the leading scorer in first class cricket this summer with 518 runs from five matches at an average of 52. South Australia sit second last, which strengthens the argument for his selection.

Likewise his SA teammate Callum Ferguson. Ferguson was playing for Australia in one day cricket and was highly thought of until injury cut him down. He has scored 463 runs at 42 in six matches.

Usman Khawaja sits behind Ferguson and Hughes as far as runs scored in first class cricket this summer having scored 438 runs from six matches at 40. Queensland coach Darren Lehman has backed Khawaja, saying he is a much better player since his last foray into test cricket.

Perhaps the dark horse is Alex Doolan from Tasmania. Doolan has scored 409 runs from five matches with an impressive average of 58. He also scored 161 not out for Australia A against South Africa earlier in the summer, and including that score has scored 570 runs from six first class matches at an average of 81.

Doolan is only 27, and as the first test is in his home state deserves his chance. He bats at number three for Tasmania, so there would be no need for any reshuffling of the batting order.

Suggestions have also come for Shane Watson to open, and David Warner to drop down the order to six. This has merit as Watson has done well as an opener and it would also give Australia a right and left handed opening combination. Coming in at six would also suit Warner’s aggressive batting.

If Warner was to come in at six, the temptation would be to move Michael Clarke up to four, with Hussey at five. However Clarke’s average at four is only 21 without any centuries, whereas at five he averages 60 with 17 centuries, so perhaps Hussey at four and Clarke at five.

Jackson Bird has taken 27 wickets at 20 so far this summer

While John Hastings was serviceable in the third test, he really didn’t do anything to suggest he is a long term option. He will probably be replaced in the side by Peter Siddle, who was sorely missed in the third test.

Mitchell Johnston and Mitchell Starc while bowling well at times, were also expensive against the South Africans. The selectors may decide to keep both, or bring back Ben Hilfenhaus, who was either rested or dropped for the third test.

It would also be no surprise to see the selectors bring in another new face, looking towards the upcoming ashes tour. Jackson Bird could be another bolter from Tasmania. Bird bowls right arm medium, and is the leading wicket taker in first class cricket this summer with 27 wickets from six matches, at an average of 20.56. Overall he has taken 87 wickets at under 20 runs per wicket in 17 first class matches, and may be well worth a look.

Whatever side the selectors choose for the first test, Australia will be determined to improve on the performance from the South African defeat in Perth.

While nowhere near as bad as the Australian media is making it out to be, they will be bitterly disappointed to have lost the match and the series; as well as the chance to regain the number one ranking.

Punter deserved better

Ricky Ponting makes his way off the SCG for the last time in the baggy green to a standing ovation from the capacity crowd, the Sri Lankans to a man joining them in their applause. Ponting, turning as he walks, acknowledges them all with a wave of his bat.

I should have been taking my three year old son to the Sydney Cricket Ground on the sixth or seventh of January next year to witness the scenario described above. In fifty years, my son should have been able to talk about how he was there, when the legendary Ricky Ponting played his last test match for Australia.

However this will never happen due to the pressure placed upon Ponting by the constant speculation on his form, and the increasing number of calls for him to retire or be dropped by a media addicted to negativity, and an over demanding and very forgetful sporting public.

Punter deserved better.

He should have been able to play through the summer, assured of his place in the team so that cricket fans around Australia could properly acknowledge his accomplishments, and give him the send-off he so rightfully deserves.

Perhaps without the constant speculation and pressure to perform, he would be scoring more runs.

When Ricky announced his retirement prior to the third test in Perth he said he wanted to go out on his own terms. Maybe so, but the constant speculation and criticism must have taken its toll; both on him and his family.

Had it not been there, I am certain he would have played out the summer.

Perhaps Ponting should shoulder some of the blame, as his passion and love of the game possibly caused him to play on longer than he should have.

If that was the case, then the selectors should have quietly and respectfully tapped him on the shoulder at the beginning of the summer and told him it was time, but that his place in the team was assured for the summer.

Instead Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said before the first test side was announced that Ponting had to earn his place in the team, and that his selection was not guaranteed.

After that statement it was inevitable that the speculation and calls for him to be sacked would come if he didn’t perform well.

Cricket is a team sport, and the team should always come first, but Ricky Ponting is Australia’s most successful captain, and the best Australian batsmen since Sir Donald Bradman; and in a career full of highlights and magnificent achievements it should not have ended like this.

Punter deserved better.