India vs Australia | Ricky Ponting expects changes in Australia’s playing 11 for Sydney Test

With three matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy completed, India has already taken an unassailable lead of 2-1. The final match of the series is scheduled to start at the Sydney Cricket Ground(SCG) from January 7 and hosts would like to win that match in order to at least draw the series and keep their unbeaten record against India going.  

“I’ve seen Labuschagne has come into the line-up so to me straight away that means Finch has to miss out and Usman will open the batting, I’d imagine,” Ponting told cricket.com.au. 

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting had predicted a 2-1 Australia win before the series had started, now wants some major reshuffle in the hosts’ playing 11 for the final fight. Ponting expects that Aaron Finch will be dropped for the next match in order to Marnus Labuschgne to get a look in. Finch has had a horrible series so far with only one half-century from the six innings he has batted against India in this series.

“That’s how it looks – Labuschagne probably bats four, (Travis) Head five and Mitch Marsh six – I think that’s the way they’re going to line up.

“I can’t really think what else they can do. The selectors and the captain and coach have obviously had a long chat about what they want and what they expect. We’ll see how they line up.”

Labuschagne is a right-handed batsman and a leg-break bowler. He has played two Test matches so far for Australia and has made 81 runs with an average of 20. He has also picked seven wickets with his leg-break. 

“He looked impressive a couple of times in the UAE in the Tests over there,” Ponting continued. “(He) bowled well, which is something they’re probably thinking about for the SCG Test as well. To be honest I haven’t seen a lot of him … I’ll reserve my judgment until I see a little more.”