BGT 2024-25: Ponting emphasizes Labuschagne's need for a revival
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting remarked that top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne must urgently discover a method to reverse his current form slump. Labuschagne recorded scores of just two and three in the first Test, leading to Australia's staggering 295-run defeat to India in Perth.
Labuschagne, who previously held the top position in the men’s Test batting rankings, is averaging 13.66 over his last five Tests since scoring two half-centuries against Pakistan in early January this year. “It’s essential to maintain faith in champion players. Many individuals we are discussing in this squad have been exceptional players,” said Ponting.
“But perhaps they haven’t performed at that level for a while. I read recently that Marnus has been averaging 13 since January (following the Pakistan series) in Tests. He truly needs to find a way to turn it around.”
“He appeared to be the most hesitant among all the batsmen in Perth. Yes, the bowling was of a high standard, and yes, the pitch presented challenges for batting. However, when facing top bowlers, a batsman must take more risks,” Ponting stated on The ICC Review show.
As the second Test, featuring a pink ball, is scheduled to commence at the Adelaide Oval on November 6, Ponting has encouraged Australia’s batsmen to adopt a mindset focused on scoring runs rather than merely surviving at the crease, using Virat Kohli as an example.
“That will be a significant challenge for Marnus and the team this week. It’s probably about letting go a little. They should prioritize scoring runs over the fear of getting out. The only way to improve is to remain positive and display great intent,” he explained.
“In the first innings, Kohli became overly concerned with countering the opposition bowlers and strayed from his natural playing style but rediscovered it in the second innings, scoring a century. Now it’s up to Marnus, Smith, and the rest to find their rhythm and start accumulating runs again,” he concluded.
