Ricky Ponting expects fresh faces in Australian squad for WTC final, Ashes

DUBAI : Australia legend Ricky Ponting expects to see some different faces in the squad when the Baggy Greens travel to England for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final and the Ashes.

While Australia currently trail India 2-1 and have failed to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, they showed plenty of spirit when they registered a comprehensive nine-wicket triumph in Indore Test and secured a place in the WTC final at The Oval in June.

Speaking on the episode of The ICC Review, Ponting expects Australia to take a large contingent of players to Europe for the lengthy two-month tour, but thinks it may include some faces that haven’t featured in the India tour.

“Matt Renshaw was picked on this (India) tour because everyone felt he was a good player of spin. Peter Hands comb was picked on this tour to India because he’s a good player of spin bowling. I think you’ve seen that through this series at different times,” Ponting noted.

But when you think about the different set of conditions in the UK, then I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe neither of those guys are on that tour. I think there’s a good chance that Renshaw will be on that tour, but I’m not so sure about Hands comb and if he’ll make it to England or not.”

The former Australian skipper also feels there may be some room for a couple of surprise selections for the England tour, predicting uncapped speedster Lance Morris and promising all-rounder Aaron Hardie may be in contention to make the cut. IANS

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