Ponting expected Test axe to fall (21 Dec 1998)

21 Dec 1998

Ponting expected Test axe to fall

AFP

HOBART, Australia, Dec 21 (AFP) - Ricky Ponting said Monday he fully expected to be dropped by Australia for the fourth Ashes Test against England at Melbourne starting December 26.

The Australian selectors on Monday recalled Darren Lehmann in the only change from the 205-run win in the third Test at Perth which gave Australia an unbeatable 2-0 lead to clinch their sixth successive Ashes series.

"With the amount of guys that are scoring runs in Australia now, if you're not doing the business week-in, week-out for Australia then there's going to be pressure put on you," the No. 6 batsman said.

Ponting denied he had been distracted by Australia's betting scandal which ensnared him last week when he admitted he had been approached by a bookmaker.

"There's been things in the paper virtually every day and I've tried to stay pretty much away from all that and concentrate on the cricket," he said.

But he probably sealed his fate with a Sheffield Shield duck in Brisbane on Sunday in front of selection chairman Trevor Hohns.

He edged the third ball he faced, from Andrew Bichel, to Jimmy Maher at second slip to continue his run of outs.

Ponting has scored 47 runs from four innings against England this season.

"As it's turned out I still haven't got any runs in the past couple of innings so I'm paying for it now," he said.

Lehmann, considered unlucky to lose his place after scoring 127 Test runs at an average of 42.33 on the recent tour of Pakistan, posted 171 against Victoria at the MCG earlier this month.

Ponting was chosen for the opening Ashes Tests because the selectors felt he played pace bowling with more authority than Lehmann.

Australia: Mark Taylor (capt), Michael Slater, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Ian Healy, Damien Fleming, Stuart MacGill, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Colin Miller (12th man to be named).