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Ricky Ponting goes into Friday’s World Cup warm-up against England still unsure of his best bowling line-up, in spite of Tuesday’s win over Zimbabwe.

Australia beat Zimbabwe by 106 runs in St Vincent, but the Aussie skipper used eight bowlers over the 50 overs.

“If we are not convinced on what our best XI is, then we may have to give six or seven bowlers seven or eight overs each,” said Ponting. “We have one good win under our belt, hopefully there’ll be another Friday (tomorrow),” he added.

Australia, the defending champions, have had their preparations hit by injuries and absences and had lost their previous five games before their stroll against Zimbabwe.

The Aussies will be without fast bowler Brett Lee in the Caribbean, while all-rounder Andrew Symonds (biceps) and opener Matthew Hayden (broken toe) are set to miss the start of the tournament.

In addition, Ponting himself has a sore back, Michael Clarke, although he scored 82 against Zimbabwe, has a troublesome hip and Damien Martyn retired in the middle of the recent Ashes series.

Seamers Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken look set to be a part of Australia’s first-choice bowling line-up, but Australia have big decisions to make regarding the rest of the pace attack.

Shane Watson is likely to start in the absence of Symonds, which means Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson will probably vie for one place.

Selection headaches aside, Ponting, in spite of scoring just two on his return to the side, was relieved to arrest his side’s recent slide.
Source:The News

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