"Give me Boof and Warney for Sri Lanka" - Ponting

[Donny]

'I see Lehmann playing a big role' - Ricky Ponting

Cricinfo

Ricky Ponting has made a strong plea for Darren Lehmann to be given an instant recall to the Test team, filling the coveted No. 5 batting spot held for so long by Steve Waugh. Ponting hopes both Lehmann and Shane Warne will be named tomorrow in the Test squad to tour Sri Lanka.

Lehmann, 34 and with only 11 Tests to his name, missed the entire Australian summer with an Achilles tendon injury and has only just returned to state cricket against the backdrop of tragedy associated with the death of close friend David Hookes.

He has struggled for runs so far in his comeback but Ponting had no qualms about backing Lehmann, saying he was a vital ingredient if Australia was to succeed in Sri Lanka next month and India later this year.

"I see him [Lehmann] playing a big role in the next six to 12 months," Ponting said today. "If he's batting well, or reasonably well, then I think he'll be straight back into the Test side, I'd imagine. His record before he was injured was outstanding in both forms of the game ... his Test form in the West Indies was sensational. If he keeps batting well and his ankle keeps pulling up well I'm pretty sure he'll be given another chance."

Given Sri Lankan conditions, players who can handle spin, as well as bowl it are vital and Lehmann fits the bill with his left-arm finger spin. "He's a very good player of spin and can bowl a few spinners as well. He's done well on the sub-continent before," Ponting said.

Trevor Hohns, the National selection panel chairman, indicated Lehmann's form before he was injured - three centuries in five Tests - should ensure that the selectors stay loyal to him. "We'll take his past Test performances into account and his spin bowling stands him in good stead," Hohns said.

Australia is likely to include a back-up wicketkeeper for Adam Gilchrist and Brad Haddin may be the first choice for that role. In the bowling department, the four quicks - Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Brad Williams and Michael Kasprowicz - will be retained with the likely addition of Warne and Stuart MacGill while Justin Langer should return to open the batting.

In all likelihood, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Ian Harvey and Brad Hogg will return home after the one-day series.

[JLC]

We don't need selectors with Ponting in the team.

Its amazing how the selectors can take different things into account for certain players. They couldnt push Steve Waugh out the door quick enough no matter how many runs he made.

jlc

[Donny]

And how old was he, JLC ?

I'd reckon about 4 years older than the bloke you say is too old to be in the team.

[JLC]

He may have been older but he is still better than Lehmann.

Lets wait and see how Lehmann goes. He favours spin so we should be expecting a good return from him with the bat. If not then he should be banished from the team.

jlc

[Joel]

Lehmann, Warne to get selection nods

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sport/story_52397.asp