Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting highlighted significant weaknesses in Cameron Green’s performances before what is likely to be a pivotal fifth Ashes Test, stating that Green needs to find a more effective method with his batting.
Green is currently 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 showcasing his ability, his Test average sits at 32.25, and expectations are rising as patience begins to fade, even considering his obvious talent at 26.
Ponting believes Green’s frequent changes in batting position have undermined his confidence. Speaking on SEN Radio, he noted that Green currently appears to be 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 are some challenges there for him. He’s got to work it out pretty quickly,” he added.
Ponting further pointed out Marnus 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, managing two half-centuries alongside 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.