The curious case of the part time bowlers

There was a passage of play yesterday when Ponting used Michael Clarke and Symonds for an extended spell. It was an important phase of the innings as Laxman and Dhoni were the only recognised batsmen left. Yet Ponting bowled the part spinners for much of the afternoon

The theory floating around was that Ponting was using them to speed up the over rate and save himself from suspension.

I think escaping the suspension would have been the last thing on Ponting’s mind. His pacers Lee and Clark had bowled outstandingly through out and needed a breather. The obvious choice would have been Tait and one of part timers. Unfortunately, Tait was just a pale shadow of himself and Ponting had no other recourse but to fall back on his part timers.

In retrospect it helped Laxman and Dhoni settle down and enabled India to put up a daunting lead.