Clark set to play in Ashes decider
August 20th, 2009 - 1:32 pm ICT by ANI ( Leave a comment )London, Aug.20 (ANI): Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has hinted strongly that the selectors are likely to keep faith in fast bowler Stuart Clark at the expense of Nathan Hauritz in the final Ashes Test beginning today. “What we see at the moment is what we expect,” said Ponting who, at 34, will surely be playing his last Ashes Test on English soil.
“We’re going to have to see something really different to change the make-up of the side considering everything worked really well. Today the wicket looks particularly good. It could dry a little bit,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Ponting, as saying.
He didn’t rule out a return for Brett Lee, who has missed the entire series to date because of injury, but if any changes were to be made, spinner Nathan Hauritz would be the more likely choice.
Meanwhile, England captain Andrew Strauss said: “We know the situation ahead of us, we need to win the game, so in a way that helps your clarity of mind and you know what needs to be achieved.”
The Test will be talismanic England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff’s last before he becomes a limited-overs specialist, a decision forced on him by persistent injury problems.
Australia (likely): Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (capt), Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus.
England (likely): Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior, Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steve Harmison, James Anderson. (ANI)
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Tags: alastair cook, andrew flintoff, andrew strauss, australian cricket captain, brett lee, captain ricky ponting, clarity of mind, daily telegraph, england captain, english soil, james anderson, michael clarke, mike hussey, mitchell johnson, nathan hauritz, persistent injury, shane watson, siddle, simon katich, steve harmison