Thaindian News

Sydney, Sep 11 (ANI): Australia’s selectors, who were not able get the right team composition during the Ashes series, are in a delightful dilemma over the return of skipper Ricky Ponting for the fourth ODI against England to be played at Lord’s.

Ponting returns after taking a break from the opening three games, which were won by Michael Clarke-led outfit.

With Ponting coming back into No.3, Cameron White needs a new place but it would be unthinkable to drop the Victorian after his maiden ODI century in the third match.

Clarke, while struggling to score quickly, still made 52 at The Rose Bowl on Wednesday night when Australia won by six wickets.

Callum Ferguson has scored back-to-back half centuries and an unbeaten 20 from 17 balls at the death in the last game.

That leaves Michael Hussey and James Hopes. Hussey has scored 20 from 15 in the first match, eight from 14 in the second and eight not out on Wednesday, but his average in the past year is 53.36, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Hopes is also a crucial in the line-up, often breaking decisive partnerships with his bowling and scoring quickly down the order. He is clearly the best limited-overs all rounder in the country.

White, who scored a definitive 105 in Southampton, was worried that would not be enough.

“‘I’m not so sure (if I’ll keep my spot),” he said. “‘I understand Ricky will come back and bat three. If the selectors want to keep the middle order the same I guess there’s not much I can really do about that.

“‘It was just until Ricky got back, no matter - if I got three ducks or scored some runs. I’ve put a good case forward to say I can bat anywhere, really. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity so we’ll see what happens on Saturday when we get to Lord’s,” he said. (ANI)