Ricky Ponting wants to see Aaron Finch open the batting in the Test series against Pakistan

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Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that Aaron Finch should open the batting in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Finch has yet to make his Test debut, but has been a regular face in Australia’s limited overs squads.

Given that Australia are missing regular openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who, along with Steve Smith, were banned for their respective roles in a ball tampering scandal earlier this year, Ponting feels that Finch and Matt Renshaw should be the Baggy Greens’ opening duo.

“Although his (Finch’s) red-ball numbers aren’t outstanding, he has been in real good form in other formats of the game all around the world for the last few years,” Ponting was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “The conditions in that part of the world in the UAE, I don’t think the new ball should do too much.

“It will probably be more like starting an innings against the white ball, which Finchy is very very good at.”

Meanwhile, Ponting also called for pace bowler Peter Siddle to open the bowling with Mitchell Starc.

Siddle was recalled to the Test side as Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were ruled out of the Pakistan series with injuries.

“One thing you know about Siddle is that he’s not going to give too many easy runs away,” Ponting said. “With guys like Mitch Starc and Mitchell Marsh, those guys are probably more likely to leak runs on a consistent basis as they are wicket taking bowlers.

“If you’ve got Siddle operating with Nathan Lyon you can guarantee that things will dry up pretty quickly.”

Australia’s Test series against Pakistan gets underway on October 7 in Dubai.