With the arrival of Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Saturday in India, the strength of the Australian cricket squad currently operating here has gone up to 17. This is unusually a large number for a touring Australian team, which normally travels with not more than 14 members.So, it is no wonder that Cricket Australia (CA) and its selection panel will sit down on Monday or Tuesday to nominate players who would return home soon after the Nagpur Test. The axe could fall on the any of the four members — offie Nathan Hauritz, Cameron White, all-rounder Shane Watson and reserve Brad Hodge.Australian team media manager Jonathan Rose while confirming this move to The Indian Express, explained that no names would be known until the start of the third Test on October 26 in Nagpur.‘‘This was something decided right at the start of the tour. The selectors had made it clear that few of the players would have to return to take part in our domestic competition.’’The Australian domestic series — Pura Milk Cup or Sheffield Shield — has already begun and the belief is that the four reserves could be used in the series. Tearaway pacer Brett Lee would not be part of this exercise even though Ponting has ruled that the paceman would not get a chance just now.It points to two things. One, the Australians value their domestic cricket and, two, they do not encourage carrying passengers when on tour.
