Ponting stumped with Aussies bowling riches

Published September 2, 2004

LONDON, Sept 1: Skipper Ricky Ponting admits Australia could enter ICC Cricket Champions Trophy without settling on a first-choice bowling attack because of the rich form of its four quicks.

Glenn McGrath, Jason Gilliespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Brett Lee have Ponting stumped because the captain says it is difficult to choose a top-three for Australia's tournament opener against the US in Southampton on Sept 13.

Kasprowicz was left out for last Saturday's victory over Pakistan in Amsterdam but will play in Saturday's warm-up clash with Pakistan at Lords. "We don't have a set combination and it could come down to conditions or make-up of opposition team. Who knows," Ponting said.

"We've experimented with three or four guys with new ball. Glenn didn't take new ball all the time in West Indies (last year) just for sheer fact that Brett can swing ball back into left-handers."

Lee looked sharp in Amsterdam during his comeback from ankle problems and remains X-factor because of his ability to rip into opposition teams. Ponting has played a strong role in Lee's development as a one-day bowler since claiming two years ago that he was giving away too many runs.

"We knew he had that sheer wicket-taking ability and he's always going to have that because of how fast he bowls but we wanted him to have more of a thought-process in place about how he was going to bowl his 10 overs," he said. "If he is bowling well, he has to come into calculations." -PPI