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Elliott Exodus Ends; Ponting Out

Tuesday, June 29 2004

Matthew Elliott has been offered a rare Test recall following the withdrawal of Ricky Ponting from the Darwin leg of the Top End Test Series against Sri Lanka.

Gaze back to 1999: Steve Waugh leads his first Australian side as Test captain in the West Indies, where Matthew Elliott is recalled in place of the retired Mark Taylor. Following 3 matches, he is seemingly dumped back into oblivion - possibly never to return. Gaze: today. Elliott is recalled in place of Test captain Ricky Ponting, who withdraws from the opening Test against Sri Lanka.

A blockbuster summer at the top of the order for the Pura Cup champions Victoria propelled him back into Test contention. He was awarded a Cricket Australia contract in April following his record-breaking summer in which he eclipsed the previous mark for most runs in a season in the domestic competition as testified by chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns noted: "His form in the Pura Cup over the past few seasons has certainly turned heads."

The left-handers selection comes ahead of Queenslander Martin Love and young New South Wales star Michael Clarke. "In this one-off situation, we felt that Matthew was the right replacement, given he has just come off a stint in the UK playing county cricket, and that has followed on from a fine summer in Australia" Hohns said.

Elliott has played 20 Tests to date at an average of just a tick over 35, with an epic 199 at Headingley in 1997 being his highest score. At this stage, it seems he is the likely number 3 batsman, although Justin Langer is also an option.

Adam Gilchrist is set to captain the side in the absence of Ponting, who will miss the match due to the death of an aunt in Tasmania.

Posted by Andre