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Ponting Urges Cameron Green to Find Batting Method Amid Ashes Pressure

Ricky Ponting has pointed out significant concerns in Cameron Green's batting approach, emphasizing his need to find a sustainable method and tempo in Test cricket. He noted that frequent changes in Green's batting order have impacted his confidence, leaving him looking rigid and nervous at the crease. Ponting also highlighted Marnus Labuschagne's inconsistent form, with technical issues making batting look difficult for him recently. With patience wearing thin, both players face pressure to deliver in the pivotal final Ashes Test.

Key Points: Ponting on Green's Batting Struggles: "Find Method and Tempo"

  • Green's Test average at 32.25
  • Batting position changes hurt confidence
  • Labuschagne also under scrutiny
  • Technical flaws highlighted in both
2 min read

Green has got to find method and tempo with his batting: Ponting

Ricky Ponting says Cameron Green must quickly fix his batting method and confidence ahead of the Ashes finale, citing technical flaws and nervous starts.

"He's got to find a method and a tempo, especially with his batting, in Test cricket that's going to work for him. – Ricky Ponting"

New Delhi, Jan 1

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting highlighted significant weaknesses in Cameron Green's performances before what is likely to be a pivotal fifth Ashes Test, saying that Green needs to find a more effective method with his batting.

Green is under the most pressure after another quiet performance with the bat in Melbourne, where he scored 17 in the first innings and was dismissed for 19 in the second. Despite his strong Sheffield Shield form, which shows his ability, his Test average sits at 32.25, and expectations are beginning to rise as patience fades, even with his obvious talent at 26.

Ponting also believes Green's frequent changes in batting position have undermined his confidence. Speaking on SEN Radio, he said Green currently looks like a "very nervous starter" amid his struggles to get going.

"Everything I've ever heard around the Australian camp about Cameron Green is just how good they all think he is and could potentially be, but he's got to start working it out. He's got to find a method and a tempo, especially with his batting, in Test cricket that's going to work for him," Ponting said.

"They've moved him from three to five to seven; he's been all over the place... he's a very nervous starter; he's very stiff and very rigid, and being a big, tall man like he is, it probably doesn't make it any easier. There's some challenges there for him. He's got to work it out pretty quickly," he added.

Ponting further highlighted Labuschagne as a player feeling the heat ahead of the SCG Test, noting that the 31-year-old has been inconsistent in this Ashes series, combining two half-centuries with six low scores, under 20, against England.

"I still believe there are a lot of technical flaws he's got going on at the moment. When Marnus is at his best, he makes batting look relatively easy, but when he's at his worst, he makes batting look really, really difficult. The last few weeks, he's made batting look difficult.

"There's definitely a question mark over him... July 2023 was his last Test hundred; that average has dropped dramatically during that period of time," Ponting mentioned.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As a cricket fan, it's tough to watch. He's got all the shots, but Test cricket is a different beast. The pressure of the Ashes can break anyone. Maybe he needs to take a leaf out of someone like Rahul Dravid's book - focus on the process, not the outcome. The technique will follow.
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Vikram M
Honestly, the Australian team management is to blame here. You can't expect a young all-rounder to perform when you're using him as a stop-gap solution in the batting order. First he's a top-order batsman, then a finisher? No wonder he looks nervous! Give the lad some clarity. 🇮🇳 We've seen this with Hardik Pandya too - defined roles work wonders.
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Priya S
It's interesting that Ponting mentions Labuschagne too. Both are technically gifted but overthinking. Sometimes you just need to go out and play your natural game, like Pant does. All this analysis can paralyze a player. Hope they both find form soon - cricket is better with strong Aussie batters.
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Rohit P
With all due respect to Ponting's analysis, I feel he's being a bit harsh. The guy is 26! He's still learning. In India, we give our players a longer rope, especially someone with all-round potential. His bowling is a huge asset, so maybe the focus should be on letting him contribute as a bowler first, and the batting will come. Too much pressure on the lad.
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Michael C
The "nervous starter"

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