Ricky Ponting has openly warned that Marnus Labuschagne's place in the Australian Test line‑up is rapidly becoming untenable, especially as the Ashes loom next summer and England appear to have the depth to challenge the Baggy Greens. Labuschagne, who currently occupies the No.3 slot, has struggled to make an impact in recent matches, scoring just 1, 31 and 4 in the three‑match series against Bangladesh that ended in a 1‑1 draw.
The 32‑year‑old has not recorded a Test century in 43 innings, a statistic that has raised eyebrows among selectors and fans alike. The Australian batsman last reached the three‑figure mark in the 2023 Ashes Test at Manchester, but his form has dipped markedly since then.
With the three‑Test series in South Africa set to begin on 9 October, Labuschagne is hoping to cement his spot, yet the pressure is mounting. Ponting, speaking in his capacity as ambassador, investor and global advisor for Century Cricket—a new coaching and talent‑identification hub based in Manhattan—reiterated his concerns during an interview with Sky Sports News. He had previously highlighted Labuschagne's difficulty in handling back‑foot deliveries while analysing the Bangladesh series for Channel 7. "Australia has been a dominant side for a long time, but we have been carrying a few players for too many years," the 51‑year‑old former captain said.
"I think change is inevitable as we head to South Africa. Labuschagne's spot is almost untenable, so the selectors will have to look at alternatives at No.3." Ponting also hinted at a possible reshuffle further down the order.
"Eventually they will want Travis Head back at No.5 rather than opening, which could open a door for a younger player to take on opening duties," he explained. The former great added that while the South African attack will be a stern test, Australia cannot afford to cling to a failing formula. "We have to try something new.
It may not cost us anything, and we might even uncover a fresh talent in the process," he said. The conversation about change is not limited to Australia. England has also undergone a significant transformation this summer.
After a disappointing Ashes campaign that saw a 4‑1 defeat, captain Ben Stokes stepped away from international cricket, and head coach Brendon McCullum was dismissed following a run of seven losses in his final ten matches. In their place, Joe Root has taken over the captaincy and led England to a series victory over Pakistan, while former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has been appointed as McCullum's successor, set to assume full responsibilities ahead of the winter tour of South Africa. When Ponting was asked about England's overhaul, he remarked, "I wasn't surprised to see changes after the Ashes, although the way it unfolded was a bit different than I expected. With Joe back as captain and a new personality in Fleming, there is no doubt that England possess the talent to give the Australians a real fight in the next Ashes." He went on to praise England's emerging four‑man seam attack—Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson—which has impressed against Pakistan, albeit against a relatively fragile batting line‑up.
The discussion also turned to former Australian star Mike Hussey, who has been linked with the role of England's batting coach. Hussey, who served as a batting consultant during England's T20 World Cup triumph in 2022, has also been involved with the IPL side Chennai Super Kings.
Ponting joked, "I saw Mike last week and told him, 'If you take that job I will never speak to you again!' I think I scared him off!" He added that Hussey might have opportunities within the Australian setup or could become the head coach of the Super Kings, which would likely preclude any move to England. Beyond the immediate team selections, Ponting highlighted his broader involvement in growing the game globally through Century Cricket.
As head coach of the IPL franchise Punjab Kings and the U.S. Major League Cricket side Washington Freedom, he sees the platform as a revolutionary tool for coaching and talent identification. "Cricket hasn't grown as rapidly in the United States as I expected, but with what we've built, people of all ages can experience the skill set required for the sport," he said.
He praised the technology behind Century Cricket, calling it unmatched and expressing excitement about its future. Century Cricket's global CEO Chris Millard echoed this sentiment, noting that the platform allows players to train against virtual versions of world‑class bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah or Moeen Ali. The system can simulate specific deliveries, bowler types and match scenarios, providing data‑driven feedback that could transform how the sport is taught and learned worldwide. "If we can scale this globally, we will be shaping the future of cricket," Millard concluded.
In summary, Ponting's comments underscore a pivotal moment for Australian cricket. With Labuschagne's form under scrutiny and a looming South African series, the selectors face a tough decision about the No.3 position. At the same time, England's recent shake‑up suggests they will be a more formidable opponent in the next Ashes.
Both nations are also looking beyond the traditional pathways, embracing innovative coaching technologies and exploring new talent pipelines to stay ahead in the ever‑evolving landscape of international cricket.