Ponting Questions Labuschagne’s Place in Test Squad After Continued Struggles

Former Australian captain and batting legend Ricky Ponting came hard at Marnus Labuschagne after he once again failed to perform in the second Test at Mackay. Ponting suggested that the time has come for the Australian management to look beyond Labuschagne, as he has been unable to perform according to expectations lately.

After a meek performance in Darwin, Labuschagne’s poor run continued as he fell for just 4 in the second Test. Shoriful Islam got the better of him when the ball struck his thigh pad before deflecting onto the leg stump.

"I admire what they [the selectors] are trying to do with Marnus.” said Ricky Ponting while talking to a local news channel.

"I admire that they tried to get him and get him back to his best, but it's been way too long now. I'm on record as saying I would have made that change at the start of this series because I think there was enough evidence for me to suggest that he was a long way from rediscovering his best.” added Ricky Ponting.

Ponting then highlighted the technical flaws in Labuschagne’s batting, saying he is purely struggling due to not understanding the line and length of the ball.

"He was unlucky today. There's no doubt about that. But that tends to happen to you as well when you're struggling and you're trying to find some form and some rhythm.” said Ricky Ponting.

“The worry that I had with him, I think there's some technical deficiency there but he's making the margin for error for the bowlers too great. With the length, he can't score off the back foot. If you can't score off the back foot in Test cricket then batting becomes a hard game. So I well and truly think it's time to have a look at somebody else.” added Ricky Ponting.

Meanwhile, Mark Waugh also agreed with the assessments of Ponting, saying Travis Head should return to the middle order amid continued struggles of Marnus Labuschagne.

"I do think Travis Head has got to bat in the middle order but, by doing that, you need to find another opener. Then you have got Marnus. How many more chances does he get? He might not get another bat in this game, so he will be hoping he does. He might have played his last game for Australia." said Mark Waugh.