Ponting Backs Uncapped All-Rounder Mitch Owen as Marsh’s Replacement for Champions Trophy
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has suggested a surprising pick for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy: uncapped all-rounder Mitch Owen. Ponting believes Owen could be the ideal replacement for the injured Mitch Marsh.
Owen’s Impressive BBL Performance Catches Ponting’s Eye
Marsh, a crucial player for Australia in limited-overs cricket, suffered a back injury last month, ruling him out of the tournament. With the deadline for finalizing the squad on February 12, Ponting has put forward Owen’s name. Owen’s recent performance in the Big Bash League (BBL) has been nothing short of spectacular. The 23-year-old topped the run-scoring charts with 452 runs, at an astounding strike rate of 203.60. He also showcased his medium-pace bowling skills, picking up three wickets. This impressive showing even earned him a contract with Paarl Royals in the SA20 league.
Ponting Sees Owen as a Suitable Replacement
Ponting, speaking on The ICC Review, expressed his admiration for Owen’s talent and believes he has what it takes to succeed at the international level. “I’m not sure which way they’ll go to be honest. I don’t know if you guys have been watching the BBL, but we’ve had one young kid that’s just emerged out of nowhere, a kid called Mitch Owen,” Ponting commented. He further added, “He’s also an all-rounder, probably more suited (as a replacement for Marsh).”
Owen’s Batting Prowess in Various Formats
Ponting highlighted Owen’s versatility as a batsman. “Mitch Marsh has batted in the top three in one-day cricket, mostly in the last couple of years anyway. Mitch Owen has opened the batting in T20 cricket and opened the batting for Tasmania in the (domestic ODI competition) Marsh Cup this season, which is our 50-over format,” Ponting explained.
A Surprise Pick, but a High-Quality Replacement
While Ponting acknowledged that Owen’s selection would be a surprise, he emphasized the youngster’s potential. “Look, honestly I’d be surprised if it is him, but I think the selectors now know that there is a really high-quality replacement there,” he added.
Australia’s Champions Trophy Campaign
Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign begins against England on February 22 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The squad currently includes: Pat Cummins (captain), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus LabUschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.
Will Owen Get the Nod?
It remains to be seen whether the selectors will heed Ponting’s advice and give Mitch Owen a chance. However, one thing is certain: Owen’s performance has made him a strong contender and a name to watch out for in the future. This [[news]] has created quite a buzz in the [[sports]] world [[today]].