MOHALI: Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting is backing debutant Peter Siddle’s reverse-swing to help his team’s cause after pace bowler Stuart Clark was ruled out because of an elbow injury.
“Peter has shown that he can use the old ball well, in matches for Victoria and with Brett Lee good at the art too, we can do well with our pace attack,” Ponting said.
“The pitch looks dry but I am hoping the rain over the past few days will help it stay together. We are confident as the pitch here offers more pace and bounce than other wickets in India,” he said.
The 23-year-old Siddle has had his share of injuries in three years at the first-class level. A niggling shoulder injury even needed a reconstruction two years ago, and his first-class outings have been restricted to just 12, in which he has bagged 43 wickets.
“Peter likes contests and will be gearing up for the challenge of bowling to the big names in the Indian batting line-up,” said Ponting, adding that they would like to perform on the field rather than be involved in a war of words, which he felt the Indians were enjoying more nowadays.
