Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting is hopeful on seeing southpaw Usman Khawaja in Australia’s playing XI at the 2019 World Cup despite David Warner’s return in the senior team. Ponting will serve as an assistant coach for Kangaroos in the ODI showpiece.
Concurrently, Ponting is in India to guide Indian Premier League (IPL) revamped franchise Delhi Capitals (DC).
On the other side, former Aussie skipper Steven Smith’s potential return is seen as a timely boost for Australia to defend their title. Smith alongside Warner has faced one-year sanction in the wake up of ball-tampering sage in Cape Town, last year.
2019 World Cup: Usman Khawaja could bat at No. 4: Ricky Ponting
While considering the accommodation, the 44-year-old veteran Ponting addressed that if Warner would go out to open the innings which stands his preferable position, the team management can push Khawaja at number three spot to provide the balance in the team.
In addition, Ponting revealed he will be taken aback if in-form Khawaja will miss out on the coveted list.
“I would be surprised if Khawaja wasn’t in the squad. Warner and he can be in the same squad; they might not necessarily play in the same XI. Or who knows, they could, you know: Khawaja could probably slot down at three when Warner comes in, and Steven Smith might bat at four or five or something, just to shore up those middle overs,”said on the sidelines of Capitals event.
2019 World Cup: Usman Khawaja is skillful cricketer – Ricky Ponting
The 32-year-old Islamabad-born batsman Khawaja has given an indication that he’s potential to scrip the glory in the white-ball cricket. He might have taken 20-odd ODIs to bring up his maiden century. But he had shown his class while consolidating the innings despite early hiccups.
Ponting has praised the efforts of Khawaja.
“I think we all saw, over the last few weeks, just how skillful a player Usman Khawaja is and can be, and I think when you see him play like that, it just makes you wonder why he doesn’t do it a bit more regularly,” maintained Ponting.
Ponting said it’s somewhat not pleasant on Khawaja’s part.
I think that’s the disappointing thing as far as he is concerned,” Ponting added.
Recently, Khawaja has played a key role in Australia’s five-match series 3-2 series win against the Men in Blue in India.
According to Ponting, it’s the strong point to consider Khawaja in the fold, for the upcoming twelfth edition of the World Cup.
During the recently culminated series, Khawaja accumulated 383 in five games at the staggering average of 76.60. He attributed it with two tons and as many half-centuries. Thus, it has improved his 2019 World Cup chances dramatically.
Meanwhile, Australia will face Afghanistan in the opener on June 1st in Bristol.