Eight players might not play Test cricket again: Ponting

Former Australian captain said that in light of the facts, half the squad might not wear the white uniform again

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has predicted that half of the touring Ashes squad “might not play” Test cricket again in light of the humiliating thrashing that the Kangaroos have suffered at the hands of old rivals England, reported Press Trust of India. 

Australia were decimated for 60 by England in a remarkable display of bowling by Stuart Broad on the first day of the fourth Test. Broad's match-winning eight wickets for 15 runs gave England the chance they needed to regain the urn they had to give up after being whitewashed 20 months earlier Down Under.

"There could be up to eight guys who might not ever play Test cricket again in this touring squad. That's a big number... half the squad," Ponting was quoted as saying by a cricket website.

Read: Australia's Clarke to retire after Ashes finale

The legendary Australian batsman said the current team was just not up to the task.

"You've got to break it down and look at the deficiencies. The cold, hard facts are there. If we got bowled out for 60 then England batted on the same pitch and (declared) for 391 (is indicative that), one, we didn't bat well, and two, we probably didn't bowl well either," Ponting said.

"Now, here we are again at 7-241, which actually should be the best batting conditions for the whole game," said Ponting, adding that "They just haven't been good enough. I don't care what they want to say or why they want to blame or whatever."

Read: Australia 60 all out against England

The former captain praised Australia openers Chris Rogers and David Warner for staying at the crease and making a century partnership in the second innings but said that they got out playing silly shots.

"They [Rogers and Warner] seemingly got through the hard times against the new ball, and then both of them probably played shots they wouldn't be that proud of," Ponting explained.

"The moving ball again today just found our batsmen (out), brought them undone again. Rogers' was a wide one swinging away, (Michael) Clarke's was a decent outs-winger as well (but) maybe didn't have to go as hard at as he did."

"Tough day at the office - and most of them have been for the Aussies over the past few weeks," the former captain concluded.