Ponting and Hughes should be dropped: Geoff Lawson
Geoff Lawson backs the inclusion of Ed Cowan in place of the struggling Phillip Hughes © AFP
By CricketCountry Staff
Sydney: Dec 19, 2011
Geoff Lawson, the former Australia cricketer believes that Phillip Hughes and Ricky Ponting should be axed from the Test side following their indifferent form.
Speaking to Sky Sports Radio he said “”I think it’s a no brainer at the moment, Phil’s so out of nick it’s not funny.”
With regards to Ponting’s place in the side he said, “The guy’s out of form. He’s a part of Australia’s struggle and has been for a couple of years. His average is down by 35 per cent, I don’t see anything in the form line that sees him getting any better. I wouldn’t be having him playing. I would be starting that new era for the middle order.
“His form is not great and hasn’t been for a little while. I would not be playing someone who has been a good player but ‘has been’ is the optimum phrase. Let’s shake up the middle order and get someone else in there,” Lawson said.
The former Pakistan coach backs the inclusion of Ed Cowan in place of struggling Hughes. “In ideal circumstances I would have Cowan at the top for Hughes and then I would have Shane Watson at five for Ponting,” he was quoted.
“Ed’s so far in form it’s a laughing matter, one guys making runs at every opportunity the others battling away, it’s a no brainer that one,” he said.