Ponting, Hussey in the selection mix for Boxing Day Test: Coach Arthur

Melbourne, Dec.13 (ANI): Australian cricket team coach Mickey Arthur has revealed that an exit plan for veterans Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey has not been discussed.

Arthur, a man who can make tough calls, and one of five national selectors, said there were no plans to dump 36-year-olds Ponting and Hussey any time soon.

His sacking of under performing fast bowler Makhaya Ntini in politically sensitive South Africa during his stellar stint as Proteas coach shows that.

But Arthur said preparing for life after Ponting and Hussey had not been discussed.

"We haven't even come to any thought of how we manage any exit for any of those players," he said.

"In my opinion, they still have big roles to play because we do need some experience in our middle order, there's no doubt about it," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as adding.

Calls for the heads of Ponting and Hussey grew louder after both failed again in a remarkable collapse of 8-74 in Hobart on Monday as New Zealand snatched their first Test win in Australia in 26 years.

Ponting extended his Test ton drought to 31 innings in the second trans-Tasman clash in Hobart.

Hussey scored a second golden duck in a month and capped a second straight horror series with the bat.

Arthur believed selectors would engage in "healthy debate" over the rest of the batting order with Shane Watson expected to return and Tasmanian opener Ed Cowan being given a chance of being handed a first Test cap.

"The key for us is to get them (Ponting and Hussey) up firing for Australia on Boxing Day because they are the key."

"It's a bit early to speculate on a top seven," Arthur said. (ANI)