Synopsis
Ricky Ponting has suggested that Australia should consider selecting uncapped all-rounder Mitch Owen to replace the injured Mitch Marsh for the ICC Men's Champions Trophy. Marsh's absence due to a back injury has opened an opportunity for Owen, who excelled in the Big Bash League.Key Takeaways
- Ricky Ponting supports Mitch Owen as a potential replacement for injured Mitch Marsh.
- Owen had an outstanding season in the Big Bash League, leading run-scorers.
- Selectors must finalize replacements by February 12.
- Australia begins the Champions Trophy against England on February 22.
- The preliminary squad features key players like Pat Cummins and Steve Smith.
New Delhi, Feb 5 (NationPress) Former captain Ricky Ponting believes Australia should consider making an unexpected decision by selecting the uncapped all-rounder Mitch Owen to take the place of the injured Mitch Marsh for their forthcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy campaign.
Marsh, a vital player in the Australian limited-overs squad, was sidelined from the event last month due to a back injury. The national selectors must finalize his replacement and submit the final squad of 15 to the ICC by February 12.
Although Australia has not yet named a replacement, Ponting has put forward Owen's name, who excelled in the recent Big Bash League, and believes that the 23-year-old could adapt to the international level swiftly if provided with the opportunity.
“I’m not sure which direction they’ll take, to be honest. Have you been watching the BBL? There’s a young talent named Mitch Owen who has risen out of nowhere and has opened the batting for the Hobart Hurricanes,” Ponting remarked on The ICC Review.
In the BBL, Owen topped the run-scoring charts with 452 runs at an incredible strike rate of 203.60. He also took three wickets with his medium pace and secured a contract with Paarl Royals in the SA20 league.
“He’s an all-rounder, probably better suited (as a replacement for Marsh). Mitch Marsh has primarily batted in the top three in one-day cricket over the past couple of years. Mitch Owen has opened the batting in T20 matches and led the batting for Tasmania in the Marsh Cup, which is our 50-over format.”
“Honestly, I would be surprised if it’s him, but I think the selectors now recognize that there is a high-quality replacement available,” Ponting added.
Australia will kick off their Champions Trophy journey against England on February 22 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Australia preliminary squad: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus LabUschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
