Sun Dec 08 05:28:58 UTC 2024: ## Ponting Urges Labuschagne to Overcome Slump Ahead of Second Ashes Test

**Adelaide, Australia** – Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has called on struggling opener Marnus Labuschagne to find a way to overcome his recent poor form ahead of the second Test against India. Labuschagne managed just two and three runs in the first Test, contributing to Australia’s crushing 295-run defeat in Perth. The normally high-performing batsman, who once topped the Test batting rankings, has averaged a mere 13.66 in his last five Tests since scoring two half-centuries against Pakistan in January.

Ponting, speaking on the ICC Review show, highlighted Labuschagne’s inconsistency as a major concern. While acknowledging the high quality of Indian bowling and the challenging wicket, he emphasized the need for greater risk-taking from Australia’s top-order batsmen. He stated, “I think you’ve got to back champion players. A lot of the guys we’re talking about in this team have been champion players, maybe not for a little while. I read somewhere the other day that since January (post-Pakistan series), Marnus has been averaging 13 in Test cricket. So he’s really got to find a way to turn that around. Of all the batters in Perth, he looked the most shaky to me.”

Looking ahead to the day-night second Test starting December 6th at the Adelaide Oval, Ponting urged the Australian batsmen to adopt a more positive mindset, citing Virat Kohli’s performance in the first Test as an example. Kohli, initially struggling, found his rhythm in the second innings to score a century. Ponting advised, “Maybe it’s about leaving it a little bit looser. Think about scoring runs first, and don’t think about getting out first. There’s only one way to turn it around, and that’s to be positive and show great intent. In the first innings, he (Kohli) got too worried about trying to counter the opposition bowlers and got away from his game. In the second innings, he found his game, he made a hundred. Now it’s up to Marnus, Smith and the team to find their way again and score some runs.” The pressure is on Labuschagne and the Australian team to perform significantly better in Adelaide.

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