Overview

• Ricky Ponting told SEN that promoting Travis Head to first drop could seize the initiative against England’s pace attack.
• He outlined Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja to open, Steve Smith at four, Head at five and Beau Webster at six, with Cameron Green viewed as the long‑term No. 3.
• Ponting’s predicted XI left out Marnus Labuschagne despite the batter’s recent one‑day hundred for Queensland.
• Konstas strengthened his case with an Australia A century in India, bolstering his prospects to partner Khawaja.
• Ponting cautioned that it may be too late for wholesale changes and flagged England’s Ollie Pope at No. 3 and Ben Stokes’ bowling fitness as pivotal factors.