Spark
Global Moderator
Wouldn't say no to a Khawaja swap but if they do genuinely believe he's a long-term replacement, then stick him at 6 so he can mature in a lower-pressure environment just as Ponting himself did.Not sure Spark.
Probably the next best opener, so Rogers or Hughes or one of the younger bats in Khawaja or Marsh.
This way North leaves the team, Ponting helps out the middle order and we get another bat into the team.
At the moment I would rather Shaun Marsh at 6 over North even.
I mean... Khawaja is an option. Marsh is an option, Rogers I would be wary of since he's 32, Hughes I have a funny feeling about sticking him at 3. I've heard there are others around - Bailey? Don't know enough about the domestic scene to make a confident judgement unfortunately. Of the existing players, I think Clarke or Watson are the only sensible options - and Clarke still suffers from the odd brainsnap, Watson also and he's also a little unproven against spin (maybe I'm too used to Ponting/Clarke but just planting your front foot down the track and playing around it does not strike me as a good ideaa).