Ponting achilles injury a setback
RICKY Ponting has suffered a torn achilles from kicking a footy while filming a commercial for one of his sponsors.
The Tasmanian Test legend was scarcely injured during his glittering playing career, but his coaching ambitions might be restricted over the next three to six months as he underwent surgery last week.
Justin Langer had planned to use his former skipper in an increased capacity for Twenty20 and one-day cricket, but that may have to be put on hold following the unfortunate accident.
Cricket Australia is yet to announce the coaching staff for October’s tour against Pakistan in the UAE, but it was possible Ponting would have been flown over for the Twenty20 component.
Ponting is a hands-on coach, often completing fielding drills with the players, and he would struggle to operate in a restricted capacity.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh will make his return to bowling today as D-Day looms for Australian selectors to nominate a new Test vice-captain.
The West Australian allrounder is considered a frontrunner to be named Tim Paine’s deputy for the twoTest series against Pakistan in the UAE next month, but fitness remains an obstacle.
Marsh didn’t bowl in Australia A’s first four-day match against India A as he launched his comeback from ankle surgery, but in a major boost will roll the arm over in the second and final tour game starting today in Alur, Bengaluru.
There is plenty riding on this final hitout, with Peter Handscomb facing the Test axe if he can’t muster a big score against the Indians.
Marsh is a certain starter for the Pakistan Test series and a key member of the batting top six, but Australia desperately needs him to be able to fire with the ball as well.
Highly fancied for his leadership with Western Australia and one of the most promising young stars in the country, Marsh ticks all the boxes when it comes to picking a vice-captain who could be moulded into a future leader.
But the one hesitation is Marsh’s body, and coach Justin Langer will want a vice-captain he can be fairly sure will play the vast majority of matches.
Other vice-captaincy options for the Test side include Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. Josh Hazlewood might have assumed the post if he hadn’t been ruled out of the tour with injury, but in a positive sign, the big fast bowler is nearing a return to domestic cricket after recovering from a back issue.