Ricky Ponting has openly warned that Marnus Labuschagne's place in the Australian Test side is rapidly becoming untenable, arguing that England possess enough quality to "serve it up" to the Baggy Greens when The Ashes returns next summer. The former captain’s comments came after Labuschagne, who occupies the No.3 slot, managed a meagre 1, 31 and 4 in the recent home series against Bangladesh that ended in a 1-1 draw.
The 32‑year‑old has now gone 43 Test innings without a single century, a stark contrast to the prolific run‑scoring he displayed earlier in his career. Labuschagne’s last hundred came during the 2023 Ashes Test at Manchester, and he is currently hoping to earn a spot in the three‑match series against South Africa that begins on October 9.
Ponting, speaking on behalf of Century Cricket – a new coaching and talent‑identification hub that is set to launch in Manhattan – had already highlighted Labuschagne’s struggles against the back foot during his analysis of the Bangladesh series for Channel 7. The 51‑year‑old former skipper continued, "Australia have been a dominant side for a long time, but they have been carrying a few players for the last couple of years.
It is inevitable that changes will be made when we head to South Africa – Labuschagne’s spot is almost untenable, so the selectors will have to consider alternatives at No.3." He added that the team might also look to shift Travis Head back to the No.5 position rather than keeping him at opener, which could open a door for a younger batsman to take on opening duties. "It won’t be easy facing the South African attack, but we have reached a point where we must try something new.
We won’t lose anything by experimenting, and we might even discover a new talent," Ponting said. The landscape in England’s Test camp has also shifted dramatically this summer. Captain Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket, and head coach Brendon McCullum was dismissed after a string of seven defeats in his final ten matches, which included a heavy 4‑1 Ashes loss.
Joe Root has stepped into the captaincy role, leading England to a series win over Pakistan, while former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has been appointed as McCullum’s successor, set to take charge ahead of the winter tour of South Africa. Ponting, speaking before England’s win over Pakistan at Lord’s, remarked, "I wasn’t surprised to see changes after The Ashes, although the way they unfolded was a bit different from what I expected. With Joe back as captain and Fleming bringing a completely different personality, there is no doubt that England have the talent to give Australia a real challenge in the next Ashes." He praised England’s four‑pronged seam attack – Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson – noting their impressive performances against Pakistan, even if the opposition’s batting was fragile.
The former Australian great also touched on speculation surrounding ex‑Australia batsman Mike Hussey, who has been linked with the England batting coach role after serving as a consultant for the IPL’s Chennai Super Kings during Fleming’s tenure. 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. I’m not sure what he’ll do, but there could be a role for him with the Australian team, or perhaps he’ll become the head coach of Chennai Super Kings, which would rule out everything else." Beyond these coaching rumors, Ponting emphasized his commitment to Century Cricket, a platform he believes could revolutionise talent development in the United States.
As head coach of the Punjab Kings in the IPL and Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, he explained, "Being part of a platform that serves as both a coaching and talent‑identification tool is a major reason for my involvement. Cricket hasn’t grown as quickly in the US as I hoped, but with what we’ve built, people of all ages can experience the skill set the game demands." He described the technology behind Century Cricket as "second‑to‑none," noting that it allows players to train against simulated deliveries from world‑class bowlers in customised match scenarios. Global CEO Chris Millard added, "It truly is a global platform that can change cricket for the better.
Players can face a Jasprit Bumrah or a Moeen Ali in any setting we create. We have the data to make it happen, and if we scale it worldwide, we will be shaping the future of cricket." In summary, Ponting’s candid assessment of Labuschagne’s form underscores a broader conversation about Australian selection policy ahead of the South Africa series. With the No.3 slot under scrutiny, the team may look to inject fresh blood, perhaps promoting a younger opener or reshuffling the middle order. Meanwhile, England’s revamped leadership and coaching staff signal a renewed ambition to challenge Australia on home soil.
As both nations evolve, the role of innovative coaching platforms like Century Cricket could become increasingly pivotal in identifying the next generation of international stars, ensuring that the sport continues to grow both in traditional strongholds and emerging markets such as the United States.