Cricket legend Ricky Ponting has shared his preferred top-order lineup for Australia’s upcoming Ashes series against England, expressing support for young talent while acknowledging the challenges ahead.
Following Australia’s dominant 3-0 Test series victory in the Caribbean, where bowlers led the charge, questions remain over the stability of the batting top order. Ponting offered his analysis and guidance, particularly focusing on young opener Sam Konstas.
While appearing on The ICC Review, Ponting discussed potential top-order options for both the Ashes and Australia’s opening fixtures in the new World Test Championship cycle.
He emphasized the selection dilemma involving Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, and Cameron Green. Ponting noted that selectors had been evaluating whether Green could be a long-term No. 3 option, especially after his strong second-innings performance in the West Indies, which may have helped secure his spot.
He suggested that the current lineup might remain unchanged for the Ashes, with selectors likely hoping the present combination would find consistency despite recent inconsistency.
Ponting also pointed out the limited time available for emerging players to make a case before the Ashes. With just an Australia A tour of Sri Lanka and four Sheffield Shield matches left, the window to impress is narrow.
While Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw have shown potential, Ponting believes selectors are unlikely to look beyond the established pool of names.
He considered McSweeney a strong candidate for a recall and also mentioned Jason Sangha as a talented option who might be considered in the future. However, the lack of matches before the Ashes poses a hurdle for any fresh faces.
The discussion also turned to Sam Konstas, whose debut half-century was followed by a string of low scores, leaving him with an average of just 16.30 after ten Test innings.
Ponting viewed Konstas’s introduction to Test cricket as particularly difficult. He explained that selectors had initially tried to shield the youngster from the tough Sri Lankan conditions, only for the Caribbean pitches to pose an even greater challenge.
He attributed the low scoring, in part, to the testing nature of the pitches, pointing out how even the West Indies collapsed for just 27 runs in a recent match.
Ponting acknowledged that Konstas was undergoing technical adjustments, which may hurt immediate results but could yield long-term benefits.
Drawing from his own early struggles in Test cricket, he urged Konstas to trust his instincts, avoid overcomplicating advice, and remain committed to a simple, focused preparation.