Ricky Ponting still searching for answers to take 20 Indian wickets to level series

Ricky PontingMelbourne, Nov 5: Skipper Ricky Ponting has conceded that his highest ranked bowler Stuart Clark’s position is under review as Australia attempts to construct a more attacking team that must win the fourth Test to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

However, the selection process may be complicated by Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger and Michael Clarke all going down with gastric problems. None trained yesterday, although all are expected to play in the Test at this stage, The Australian reported.

Hampered by an elbow injury, which forced him to miss the second Test, Clark has taken just two wickets in two matches and his only victim in the third Test was usual tail ender Ishant Sharma.

Ponting said there were a number of possibilities, with off-spinner Jason Krejza having a big chance to play either in place of leg-spinner Cameron White or one of the fast bowlers if the Australians decide to pick two spinners.

“We do have to look at the make-up of the side. It’s make or break for us in this Test and we have to find the ways and means of putting together a side that will take 20 wickets. Stuart did a great job for us in the last Test, bowling a lot of overs for not many runs, but at no time did he look really dangerous,” Ponting said.

“He often holds up an end for us while other blokes attack. In the past that has allowed Brett (Lee) to blast blokes out. But with the wickets the way they are here we have to think creatively about our set-up,” he added.

Clark is the one most in danger of going if there is any reshuffle because Australia will not drop its spearhead Lee if he is fit, despite his struggles. He showed signs of significant improvement in the last Test.

“I’m not sure how we would make it work (playing two left armers), particularly if we were going to play two spinners, but he (Bollinger) is definitely in the equation,” Ponting said.

“He swings the new ball into the right-handers and can also reverse swing the ball away, which is why he has such a good record for NSW at the SCG. There is definitely a chance that we''ll play two spinners. We have to make a decision on the quicks and we won''t know that until we have a better look at the pitch.” (ANI)

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