New Delhi: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has raised concerns over Cameron Green’s batting approach ahead of what is expected to be a decisive fifth Ashes Test, urging the all-rounder to find a more effective and settled method at the crease.
Green is under mounting pressure following another subdued outing with the bat in Melbourne, where he scored 17 and 19 across the two innings. While his domestic Sheffield Shield form underlines his potential, the 26-year-old’s Test average stands at 32.25, prompting growing scrutiny as expectations rise.
Speaking on SEN Radio, Ponting said Green’s repeated changes in batting position have affected his confidence and rhythm. “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,” Ponting said. “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 described Green as a “very nervous starter,” noting that his height and rigidity early in innings add to the challenge. “They’ve moved him from three to five to seven; he’s been all over the place. 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 are some challenges there for him, and he’s got to work it out pretty quickly,” he added.
The former skipper also pointed to concerns around Marnus Labuschagne ahead of the Sydney Test. The 31-year-old has endured an inconsistent Ashes series, registering two half-centuries but also six scores under 20 against England.
“I still believe there are a lot of technical flaws he’s got going on at the moment,” Ponting said. “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. Over the last few weeks, he’s made batting look difficult.”
Ponting noted that Labuschagne’s last Test century came in July 2023 and that his average has dipped significantly since, adding to the pressure on Australia’s middle order heading into the series finale.