HOBART — Newly-retired Test great Ricky Ponting will receive a tribute during next week's opening Test match against Sri Lanka in Hobart, Cricket Tasmania said Thursday. The former Australian skipper played his final and 168th Test match against South Africa in Perth this week after a run of low scores in the three-Test series against the Proteas. His home state association said Ponting will do a lap of honor around Bellerive Oval during the lunch break on the opening day of the Hobart Test Friday, Dec. 14. Ponting has confirmed his retirement from international cricket but he will still be available to play for the Hobart Hurricanes and the Tasmanian Tigers this season. “Ricky has been the greatest batsman to play for Australia behind Don Bradman and that is an absolutely fantastic achievement,” Cricket Tasmania chairman Tony Harrison said. “A tribute to his career at the home of Tasmanian cricket is something that we were always hoping to confirm. “Ricky is an icon of our sport and an icon for Tasmanians wanting to play the game of cricket and for all cricket followers.” Hughes gets another chance Phil Hughes was Thursday handed another chance to resurrect his Australian career after being recalled as a replacement for Ricky Ponting in next week's first Test against Sri Lanka. Hughes, who has played for his country 17 times as an opener but not since against New Zealand in December 2011, was preferred ahead of Rob Quiney and Usman Khawaja to fill the void left by the retired Ponting. Hughes, 24, has satisfied selectors that he has overcome technical issues which made him vulnerable to the rising ball and which led to his axing in the past. “It is actually really special this time,” Hughes told reporters ahead of the first Test in Hobart starting on Dec. 14. “The sacrifices that I have made in the last 12 months have been quite big. I knew I had to do them ... so to me, I can go in there with a fresh mind.” Skipper Michael Clarke has still to decide on his batting order against Sri Lanka, but the opening pair of David Warner and Ed Cowan are expected to remain leaving Hughes seen as coming in at NO. 3. Selectors also recalled pace bowlers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus for the Hobart Test for injured quicks John Hastings (back) and Josh Hazlewood (foot) from the side that lost to the Proteas by 309 runs in Perth. — Agencies
