Ponting upset with selection panel over Johnson’s omission
December 2nd, 2010 - 6:13 pm ICT by IANSAdelaide, Dec 2 (IANS) Australian captain Ricky Ponting is unhappy with the omission of fast bowler Mitchell Johnson from the Ashes Test squad.
For the first time it looks as if Ponting’s opinion doesn’t count anymore in matters of team selection. In the first Ashes Test, Ponting wielded considerable influence over the national selectors, that saw left-arm spin of Xavier Doherty in side at the expense of Nathan Hauritz.
But the omission of Johnson for the second Ashes Test has left Ponting upset.
“We thought long and hard about the decision that was made with Mitch. We honestly think it will make our attack better for this game. When it’s big decisions like this one that are to be made, it’s wholly and solely made by the selection panel,” Ponting was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.
“Of course, they ask for my input and the coach’s input but … they’re the ones that make the decisions,” he said.
The daily revealed that the dropping of Johnson could be seen as the hand of new selector Greg Chappell, who is likely to take over the chairmanship from incumbent Andrew Hilditch, whose contract runs out after the 2011 World Cup.
Asked if the selectors would show some mercy to Johnson as they did in the case of Mike Hussey, Ponting said: “Good question. You might have to ask Andrew Hilditch that.”
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- Uncapped Doherty, Smith in Oz squad in place of Hauritz for first Ashes Test - Nov 20, 2010
- Ashes: Oz selectors have avoided difficult decision for another week - Nov 16, 2010
- Ashes debacle: Hilditch and Co need face hard truth and come up with answers: SMH - Dec 08, 2010
- Ashes: Ponting believes Johnson spell could set up series - Dec 20, 2010
- Spinners Hauritz, Doherty to face off for World Cup spot - Jan 11, 2011
- Oz selectors not under pressure due to continuous criticism: Hilditch - Dec 11, 2010
- Doherty to replace injured Hauritz for next two ODIs against England - Jan 22, 2011
- Johnson dropped from Australian XI for second Ashes Test? - Dec 01, 2010
- Beer in, North, Bollinger and Doherty axed from Oz squad - Dec 10, 2010
- Hastings a surprise selection in Australia World Cup squad - Jan 18, 2011
- Tait backs CA's one spinner policy for World Cup - Jan 19, 2011
- Lee, Tait recalled for first ODI against England - Jan 11, 2011
- Smith 'quite surprised' at dumping of Hauritz for Ashes opener - Nov 21, 2010
- Hastings in Australia's World Cup squad, Siddle dropped - Jan 18, 2011
Tags: australian captain, captain ricky ponting, chairmanship, good question, greg chappell, hilditch, incumbent, mike hussey, mitchell johnson, morning herald, nathan hauritz, national selectors, omission, ricky, second ashes test, selection panel, sydney morning herald, team selection, test squad, world cup
