Don’t know why selectors didn’t give Hussey more time: Ponting
February 9th, 2011 - 7:52 pm ICT by IANSSydney, Feb 9 (IANS) Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting Wednesday described injured middle-order batsman Michael Hussey’s axing from the World Cup squad as a “huge loss” and said he was not sure why selectors did not give the southpaw more time to regain fitness. Ponting, who is himself recovering from a finger injury, suggested that one reason the selectors did not pick Hussey was that they wanted maximum fit players for the mega-event starting Feb 19. His comments come after Hussey expressed disappointment on not being given enough time to prove his fitness.
The lone specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz too was ruled out Tuesday due to a shoulder injury.
“I actually do not know why Hussey was not given more time,” Ponting was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I’m not sure if the selectors have answered that question today or yesterday either, but I know what the selectors had spoken about - they wanted to have as many fit guys ready to go for the start of the tournament as possible.
“I think the medicos were not entirely sure or convinced when Michael’s injury was going to come right. Just the uncertainty around his recovery time was the main reason he was not selected.”
Ponting said the experienced lefthander will be dearly missed during the World Cup.
“He is a massive loss to our group,” he said. “He is a class player in this form of the game. A very experienced player, a leader around our group.”
- Injured Hussey left out of Oz WC squad over uncertainty around recovery time: Ponting - Feb 10, 2011
- Hussey to be fit for World Cup in time after undergoing surgery - Jan 20, 2011
- Injured Hussey, Hauritz out of Australia's World Cup squad - Feb 08, 2011
- Arthur asks Oz selectors to recall Hussey for World Cup - Mar 02, 2011
- Australia still a force to reckon with in ODIs (Team Profile, World Cup Countdown) - Feb 07, 2011
- Decision not to include Hussey wouldn't hurt Australia: Ponting - Feb 23, 2011
- Injuries 'probably affects the balance' of Oz team for England ODI series: White - Jan 23, 2011
- Decision to dump Hussey would hurt Oz World Cup campaign: Steve Waugh - Feb 27, 2011
- Mike Hussey frustrated with World Cup omission - Feb 09, 2011
- Physio expects Ponting to be fit for World Cup - Jan 29, 2011
- Oz batting collapse shows team still searching for 'Rock' Hussey's replacement - Feb 14, 2011
- Waugh slams selectors for dropping Hussey - Feb 27, 2011
- Ponting shocked over Katich's omission - Jun 17, 2011
- Spinners Hauritz, Doherty to face off for World Cup spot - Jan 11, 2011
- Hussey doubtful for World Cup - Jan 17, 2011
Tags: australian cricket captain, captain ricky ponting, disappointment, finger injury, fitness, game, lefthander, massive loss, medicos, michael hussey, morning herald, nathan hauritz, recovery time, ricky, selectors, shoulder injury, southpaw, sydney morning herald, uncertainty, world cup squad