Tag Ind-Aus-2012-News

It's been 32 innings since Ricky Ponting last scored a century in test cricket = almost two years ago. Although Ricky has had 8 fifties in between, pressure is building on him..

Michael Hussey, who scored back to back centuries in Sri Lanka and a 93, had an unproductive series in South Africa and now then he returned pavilion for 15, 8 and duck in three innings against New Zealand at home.

With Aussie team hitting it's lowest point in recent times, critics are coming hard on these two legendry Aussie run machines but coach Mickey Arthur has put his weight behind and expected them to come good against Indians in upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy.

"We haven't even come to any thought of how we manage any exit for any of those players," said Arthur. "In my opinion they still have big roles to play because we do need some experience in our middle order, there's no doubt about it."

"The key for us is to get them up firing for Australia on Boxing Day because they are the key."

The other day, former captain Allan Border demanded at least one of the old pro must be done away with after home team lost 8 wickets for 74 runs to hand over 7 run victory to Kiwis.

Arthur - one of five national selectors - said there would be "healthy debate" over the rest of the batting order with Shane Watson expected to return and Tasmanian opener Ed Cowan a chance of being handed a first Test cap.

Watson (hamstring) will be summoned to Melbourne in the coming days to assess his fitness.

His likely return, the consideration of Cowan's credentials and Ponting and Hussey's retention may spell trouble for Usman Khawaja, who has notched just one half-century in six Tests, averaging 29.22.

"It's a bit early to speculate on a top seven," Arthur said.

Even wicket keeper Brad Haddin hasn't done enough with the bat, although he did struck an important fifty to win Aussie the Johannesburg test and level series in South Africa. With Tim Paine still recovering from his finger injury, Haddin may just have some more games remaining to regain his touch.

In the meantime, it seems Australia are content to "take the good with the bad" with Haddin.

"I think in between that (Cape Town and Hobart) there was a matchwinning innings in Johannesburg - you do take the good with the bad," Arthur said.

"I still think he is a hell of a player with a huge amount to offer."

But Arthur added: "One of the key words I used was resilient (after the Hobart defeat). "I was a little bit disappointed how we folded."