What Must Green Do to Regain His Batting Form, As Ponting Suggests?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cameron Green must establish a consistent batting method.
- Frequent changes in batting position affect player confidence.
- Ponting emphasizes the need for Green to overcome challenges quickly.
- Marnus Labuschagne also faces pressure due to inconsistent performances.
- Players must adapt to high expectations in crucial matches.
New Delhi, Jan 1 (NationPress) Ricky Ponting, the former captain of Australia, has pointed out critical flaws in Cameron Green's recent batting displays as the fifth Ashes Test approaches. He emphasized that Green must discover a more efficient approach to his batting.
Green is facing considerable pressure following another subdued outing in Melbourne, where he managed just 17 runs in the first innings and was dismissed for 19 in the second. Despite demonstrating his capabilities in the Sheffield Shield, where he has shown promise, his Test batting average stands at 32.25. As time passes, the expectations around him are growing, even taking into account his evident skill at the age of 26.
Ponting also suggested that Green's constant shifts in batting positions are affecting his self-assurance. On SEN Radio, he remarked that Green appears to be a “very nervous starter” as he grapples with his recent challenges.
“All I’ve heard from the Australian team regarding Cameron Green is how highly they regard him and his potential, but he must start figuring things out. He needs to establish a method and a rhythm, especially in Test matches, that suits him,” said Ponting.
“He’s been shifted from the third to the fifth and then to the seventh position; he’s been all over the place... he’s looking quite apprehensive; he’s stiff and rigid, and being a tall player complicates matters further. He has some hurdles to overcome, and he needs to resolve them swiftly,” he added.
Ponting also mentioned Marnus Labuschagne as another player feeling the pressure ahead of the SCG Test, pointing out that Labuschagne has been inconsistent throughout this Ashes series, tallying two half-centuries alongside six scores under 20 against England.
“I still believe there are numerous technical issues he needs to address. When Marnus is in form, he makes batting look relatively straightforward, but during his rough patches, it becomes exceptionally challenging. Recently, he has made batting seem tough,” Ponting noted.
“There’s certainly a question mark over him... the last time he scored a Test century was in July 2023, and his average has declined significantly since then.”