[M@zh@R]

Ponting, Hussey retained for first Test against India



MELBOURNE: Out-of-form veterans Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey have been retained in the Australia team to play India in the first Test beginning on Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The 37-year-old Ponting has not scored a Test century in nearly two years, while Hussey has scored just 83 runs in his last seven Test innings.

David Warner, who scored a century on debut in the New Zealand Test, will open with Ed Cowan, who will make his Test debut replacing the dropped Phil Hughes.

Australia has decided to take just four genuine bowlers into the Test, with Shaun Marsh called up to the side ahead of all-rounder Dan Christian.

Marsh, who has been recovering from a back injury, has not played since the first Test in Cape Town against South Africa. He scored an unbeaten 99 in a Twenty20 match this week and will bat at No. 3.

Seamer Ben Hilfenhaus replaces 12th man Mitchell Starc.

Captain and selector Michael Clarke said he felt he has the right line-up to get 20 wickets at the MCG.
Newspaper:Times Of India, 24th Dec