Published: Dec 03, 2012, 05:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 03, 2012, 05:03 PM (IST)
Rob Quiney made his Test debut for Australia in the series against South Africa © Getty Images
Perth: Dec 3, 2012
Shane Warne on Monday said the 30-year-old Rob Quiney is the perfect replacement for Australia’s middle-order mainstay Ricky Ponting, who played his last match for the national side in Perth against South Africa.
“When you identify a player who’s been the best player in domestic cricket for a period of time and you give him a chance . . . [with him] getting nought you can’t really tell [his suitability] because anyone can get nought,” Warne said.
He added, “The ones that get 12 and 15 are the ones you worry about. They get themselves in then play a bad shot to get out. For me, anyone can get out early, when they first come in,” Warne was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Quiney failed with the bat during his stint at number three earlier in the series against South Africa, scoring nine runs in three innings – which includes two ducks at Adelaide Oval.
“I don’t think he’s had a really good run at it. I think three Tests against Sri Lanka would be a good opportunity to have a really good run at it, and then see how he goes after those three Tests. If you need to make a change after that so be it,” he added.
The spin legend said Australian selectors have to contemplate on whom they want as Ponting’s replacement – not only for the series against Sri Lanka, which starts December 15.
“You’ve got to start looking ahead and say ‘These guys we bring in, who’s going to play well in India? Who’s going to play well in England against the swinging and seaming ball?’ – and Bobby Quiney has got the best technique out of any of the candidates, bar none,” he said.
“Other guys like Khawaja and Phillip Hughes . . . have to earn their stripes a bit more. They have to go back to Shield cricket and show us how keen they are,” he added.
Warne concluded, “Go back and make a hundred – and keep making hundreds. Khawaja has had a couple of chances. Phil Hughes has had three or four . . . he’s meant to have changed his technique a bit and seems to be getting runs, but Bobby has had one chance really.”
