Ponting an elephant in the dressing room,says Cairns

Describing Ricky Ponting as the elephant in the room,Chris Cairns has said that Cricket Australia needs to end his 16-year long Test career in order to move forward

Describing Ricky Ponting as the elephant in the room,Chris Cairns has said that Cricket Australia (CA) needs to end his 16-year long Test career in order to move forward. I dont think you can have two years averaging 27 as a No 3. I think its his time (to retire), Cairns said. And when you look at the likes of Mark Taylor,(Ian) Healy,Mark Waugh they were told it was their time. And theres an elephant in the room at the moment in Ricky Ponting that nobody is really addressing, he told Sydney Morning Herald.

Dont get me wrong,Ive got the utmost respect for Ricky Ponting but theres a time and a place. And for me,his time and place is Hobart in the second Test against New Zealand. Thats to say,Thanks very much, insisted Cairns.

He felt that the Australian selectors need to take the hard call on the soon-to-be 37-year-old Ponting.

Clarkes big test at home

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Meanwhile,Australia skipper Michael Clarke will be dealing with a new coach Mickey Arthur and at least three teammates on debut against a New Zealand at the Gabba.

David Warner will make his Test debut alongside Phil Hughes. Usman Khawaja,starting his fifth test,will bat at No. 3. Australias strength should be the middle order,with Ponting,Clarke,Mike Hussey and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin shoring up Nos. 4-7. James Pattinson,Ben Cutting and Mitch Starc are vying for two spots in a pace attack led by Peter Siddle.

Ross Taylors Black Caps head into the series after savaging the second-string Australian attack in a tour match in Brisbane last weekend. Jesse Ryder plundered 175 while Taylor and Brendon McCullum also posted hundreds.