Captaincy call for Ponting leaves Waugh confused

Former Test captain Steve Waugh can’t understand why selectors chose to hand Ricky Ponting the skipper’s role for Australia’s one-day international against Sri Lanka.

Ponting was picked by selectors on Tuesday to lead Australia in Friday’s match at the SCG with Michael Clarke set to miss the match due to a hamstring strain.

But Waugh, who led Australia at Test level from 1999 to 2004, said he couldn’t understand why vice-captain David Warner hadn’t been given the chance to lead his country.

“If David Warner is in there as vice-captain I assume they think he’s leadership material and if he’s vice-captain why can’t he captain the side as well?,” Waugh told reporters.

“Ricky will do it blindfolded but the future is probably David Warner, so I’m surprised they didn’t go to Warner.”

National chairman of selectors John Inverarity said Warner had been considered but it was a responsibility too far for the opening batsman.

“David Warner is a young player making his way,” Inverarity said in a statement announcing the 14-man squad to play Sri Lanka and then India in Brisbane on Sunday.

“He displays considerable leadership potential, but the NSP (national selection panel) is of the view that he should not, at this moment, have the added responsibility of captaincy thrust on him.

“David has been gaining valuable experience under Michael Clarke’s captaincy and now he will have the opportunity to grow his leadership skills further as vice-captain to Ricky Ponting.”

Such thinking didn’t seem to make much sense to Waugh given Warner’s role within the squad.

“I’m surprised that they didn’t go for the future, maybe they think Dave is not quite ready but then why is he vice-captain?,” he said.

There were no big shocks in the squad, with Clarke expected to return to action in Sunday’s match at the Gabba.

Fast bowler Ryan Harris has been rested to recover from “some minor niggles” with Ben Hilfenhaus and Brett Lee called up.

Lee will have to prove his fitness ahead of Friday’s match after missing the first three ODIs with a broken toe suffered in the second Twenty20 against India earlier this month.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has also been overlooked again, a decision which seems to give credence to his view that he has been dropped and not rested as the selectors have stated.

Waugh said Haddin’s status needed to be clarified by the selection panel.

“I was surprised when they said he was rested, he basically said he was dropped,” Waugh said.

“There’s mixed messages there.

“If he’s rested, why doesn’t he come back in and be the captain?

“He’s the vice-captain of the Test side, so there was the opportunity for maybe Brad to captain the one-day team.

“But obviously, he’s having an enforced rest. I’m not sure what it is but it’s a bit confusing and it would be good for someone to clear it up.”

Allrounder Shane Watson wasn’t considered for selection as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.

Watson played a Sydney club match on the weekend and will join Haddin in the NSW squad to play Western Australia at the WACA Ground later this week.

Australia squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Ricky Ponting, David Warner, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Marsh, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade.