Ponting ponders daring alternative as Australia’s opener against India in Champions Trophy semi-final

The ICC Hall of Famer also suggested some potential alternatives, including the batters that already feature in Australia’s playing XI at the Champions Trophy.

"They could even move Steve Smith up there and open the batting,” Ponting said. “He's done a terrific job when he's opened in T20 cricket the last couple of years. He's a good player of fast bowling, which was one of the points I made before trying to negate that new ball and get through to those middle-overs.

"They could put [Josh] Inglis up there if they wanted to, and then leave someone like Cooper Connolly as another left-hander in the middle order that could give them some spin options."

Ultimately, though, Ponting would give Fraser-McGurk the nod – partially due to his excellent performance in the IPL in 2024, where he finished with a strike-rate of 234 from nine innings.

"He probably has been a little bit disappointed with his output in the opportunities that he's had in the last six months,” Ponting said. “So this might just be the game where he can do something...like he did in the IPL with the Delhi Capitals last season."

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