Only three Australian batsmen are certain to start the summer Test series against Pakistan, according to former skipper Ricky Ponting, with David Warner among them.
Ponting, who has been a sounding board for coach Justin Langer in recent months, unsurprisingly nominated the in-form Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne as the other two.
“Warner’s going to be a lock,” Ponting told cricket.com.au, despite the opener having a miserable Ashes tour where he has struggled to get into double digits.
“I don’t care if he gets another duck in the second innings of this Test match (at the Oval), he’s going to be a lock for the Australian summer. Marnus is an absolute lock. Smith’s a lock.
“(There are) still question marks around the guys in the middle, (Matthew) Wade and (Travis) Head,” he added. “(Opener Marcus) Harris has looked tested against good quality fast bowling in this series.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey could also get a look in, although Ponting said Tim Paine should continue as captain during the summer Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand.
“With so many gaps like that, I’d like to see somebody like Pucovski get an opportunity,” he added.
“Everyone’s talked about him for a long time. A couple of years before the next Ashes series you want to try and blood someone in that No.6 role and he’d be the obvious candidate.”
