Ponting defended Khawaja over the back spasms that derailed him in Perth, saying that all batsmen suffered them from time to time and that it was unrelated to playing golf in the lead-up to the Test.
“I know there was a lot made about golf and all that sort of stuff,” Ponting said. “He might’ve played golf before every Test match he’s ever played. It’s just bad timing to get a back spasm.
Travis Head salutes the Perth crowd after his remarkable knock in the first Ashes Test.Credit: AP
“Someone said the other day, what if he’d gone for a 6km run and then got a back spasm, are we talking about that, rather than a 6km walk around the golf course?
“I’ve had them on the day before a Test match, I’ve had them in the middle of a Test match, you can’t move and they’re horrible things. I think it was just bad timing and bad luck for him.
“I don’t think they [the selectors] will make any change and they probably shouldn’t. Being one nil up now, you wouldn’t think they’d make any change.
“Whether he (Khawaja) makes it to Sydney or not depends on how many runs he makes in Brisbane if he plays. The only currency you have is runs, and if you’re not getting runs, then you leave yourself open for scrutiny and for someone to take your spot.”
Speaking on Seven’s review show earlier on Sunday, Ponting added that Head would be able to make a similar impact at number three, a position with which the former captain is well familiar after making 32 of his 41 Test hundreds from there.
“He doesn’t have to open the play that way either, anywhere in the top three,” Ponting said.
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“The number three batsman has always been seen as being a counter puncher; someone who can come out and be aggressive and change the momentum.
“He can do that regardless of what position he bats. Will it happen? I don’t think so. But, I would absolutely love to see it, as a fan. As a cricket fan, an Australian cricket fan, I would love to see them do it and see if we can actually break England early.”
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