Ricky Ponting predicts Australia’s XI for ICC World Test Championship final vs India

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has picked his Australia XI for the ICC WTC final against India

Ricky Ponting has expressed his support for the inclusion of Michael Neser in Australia's squad for the ICC World Test Championship final. However, in the event that Josh Hazlewood is unable to play, Ponting believes that another fast bowler, the late-blooming Scott Boland, will be chosen for the starting XI.

Anticipating that Josh Hazlewood might not recover in time, the former Australian cricket legend expects Scott Boland, who has impressed with 28 wickets in seven Tests since his remarkable debut against England at the MCG in 2021, to be a crucial asset for Australia in the WTC final against India.

Although Scott Boland has not yet experienced playing a Test match in England's conditions and did not take any wickets in his only five-day test with India in Nagpur, he is being considered for selection in the WTC final due to reports suggesting that Josh Hazlewood might be unavailable.

Michael Neser, the all-rounder, also presents himself as an alternative fast-bowling choice for Australia. However, his inclusion in the 15-player WTC squad is dependent on being confirmed by Sunday, May 28.

“Boland's record when he's played over the last 12 months has been absolutely outstanding,” Ponting said on the latest episode of The ICC Review.

“He's one that would really, potentially thrive in these English conditions.  “We’ve seen what he's been able to do in Australia when there has been a bit of assistance off the wicket there and with the ball. So I think he'll get the nod ahead of Neser.” “He will be a terrific bowler in English conditions. We have already seen that in County cricket,” Ponting said. “Now that I know that Hazlewood’s probably not there, I think it probably pretty much picks itself,” Ponting said on the Australia XI.

McDonald backs Warner to make impact

According to Ponting, the Australian batting line-up is established and coach Andrew McDonald has voiced his endorsement for veteran opener David Warner to leave a significant impact in both the WTC final and the upcoming Ashes series.

“I think Warner will play. I'm listening to everything that's been spoken about the last few months, that Warner will play along with Khawaja, opening the batting. “Marnus [Labuschagne] three, [Steve] Smith four, [Travis] Head five, [Cameron] Green six, [Alex] Carey seven, [Mitchell] Starc eight, [Pat] Cummins nine, [Nathan] Lyon 10.

"Scott Boland will be the guy that will come in in Hazelwood's place. With Travis Head doing what he's done lately in that middle order, and Cameron Green really emerging on the scene in the last 12 months as well, I think the batting side of things pretty much picks itself.”

Australia top WTC standings

In the 2021-23 WTC cycle, Australia concluded with 152 points from 19 Tests, securing 66.67% of the maximum possible points. India followed closely with 127 points from 18 Tests, achieving a percentage of 58.8%.

Josh Hazlewood has been a vital component of Australia's bowling lineup since his debut in 2014, accumulating 222 wickets in 59 Tests. However, his participation in the ongoing WTC cycle has been limited to just four matches.

Ricky Ponting’s predicted Australia XI (if Hazlewood is unfit)

Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland