'Watch Some Video of...': Ponting Advices Labuschagne to Regain Lost Form Ahead of Lord's Test
Labuschagne scored just 14 runs in the first Ashes Test [AP Photos]
Former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, has extended a helping hand to Marnus Labuschagne in his bid to regain his form ahead of the highly anticipated second Test of The Ashes 2023 at the Lord's that is scheduled to commence on Wednesday.
Ricky Ponting offers counsel to a struggling Labuschagne
Labuschagne, who had an abysmal time in the Ashes opener, scoring a golden duck and a mere 14 runs across both innings, faced a consequential consequence as he slid from the pinnacle of the Test batsmen rankings to the third position. However, amidst this setback, Ponting has expressed his willingness to offer his guidance to Labuschagne if the batsman sought his assistance.
Opening up on Labuschagne's recent form, Ponting said that the batsman appeared to be complicating matters unnecessarily, emphasizing the need for him to trust and believe in the very qualities that propelled him to his exalted status as the second-ranked Test batsman for the past couple of years.
"I would like to catch up with him and have a chat about his batting, because I think what I've seen over the last couple of weeks, as far as I'm concerned, I think he's over complicating things a little bit. I think he has to trust and believe in what's made him the No.2-ranked Test batsman in the world for the last couple of years and go back to trusting that," Ponting told on ICC Review.
Encouraging a return to the essence of his batting, the legendary Aussie skipper advised Labuschagne to revisit footage and analyze instances when he displayed his best form and urged him to recapture those elements and channel them once again.
"That's all I'd say to him really. I would actually tell him to go and watch some footage and watch some video of when he's actually played his best, and remember those things and go and do that all over again," added the Australian veteran.
Despite a sterling Test record, brandishing an impressive overall average of 55.14 across 39 matches, Labuschagne's form has shown fluctuations in recent times. His average took a hit in 2023, stooping to a mere 36.63 with not a single century and only two half-centuries to his name in seven Tests.
Furthermore, the right-handed batting sensation has found it difficult in acclimating to foreign soil, averaging below 40 in 17 Tests contested outside Australia, and marking a solitary century.
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