Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain who now works as an ambassador, investor and global adviser for the new Century Cricket academy, has warned that Marnus Labuschagne's place in the national Test side is becoming increasingly untenable. Ponting made the comments during a Sky Sports News interview while promoting the academy’s launch in Manhattan, New York.
He argued that England possess enough quality in their ranks to "serve it up" to the Baggy Greens when the Ashes returns next summer. Labuschagne, who occupies the No.3 slot in the batting order, has struggled to make a compelling case for retention. In the recent home series against Bangladesh, which ended in a 1‑1 draw, he managed scores of just one, 31 and four, failing to reach a century in any of his 43 Test innings.
The 32‑year‑old’s last Test hundred came in the 2023 Ashes at Manchester, and his recent form has left selectors with a difficult decision as they plan for the three‑Test series in South Africa starting 9 October. During his analysis of the Bangladesh series for Channel 7, Ponting had already highlighted Labuschagne’s difficulties in handling the new‑ball and his tendency to falter when required to score quickly.
He reiterated those concerns in the Sky interview, noting, "Australia has been a dominant side for a long time, but we have been carrying a few players for the last couple of years. Change is inevitable, especially 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 that the team might want to move Travis Head back to the No.5 position rather than keeping him at the top of the order. "That could open a slot for a youngster to open the innings," he suggested, adding that the South African attack will be a stern test for any new combination.
"It won’t be easy, but we have to try something new. We might not lose anything, and we could even discover a new talent." The conversation about change is not limited to Australia.
England have undergone a significant reshuffle this summer after a disappointing Ashes campaign. Captain Ben Stokes stepped away from international cricket, and head coach Brendon McCullum was dismissed following a run of seven defeats in his final ten matches, including a 4‑1 loss in the Ashes. Joe Root has now taken over the captaincy and led 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 victory over Pakistan at Lord's, said he was not surprised by the upheaval in the English camp.
"I wasn’t shocked to see changes after the Ashes, although the timing was a bit different than I expected. With Joe back as captain and a different personality in Fleming, there is no doubt the talent is there to really serve it up to the Australians in the next Ashes," he remarked. England’s current seam attack—Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson—has impressed against Pakistan, albeit against a relatively fragile Pakistani batting line‑up.
Their ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace could pose a serious challenge for any Australian side that does not address its batting frailties. The interview also touched on the possible future for former Australian batsman Mike Hussey.
Hussey, who played 79 Tests, 185 ODIs and 38 T20Is for Australia between 2005 and 2013, has been linked with the England batting coach role after serving as a consultant for the Chennai Super Kings during Stephen Fleming’s tenure as head coach. 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 still have opportunities within the Australian setup or possibly a head‑coaching position with the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. "At the end of the day, we’re all coaches and we’ll take whatever role allows us to contribute," Ponting said. Regarding his involvement with Century Cricket, Ponting explained that the platform offers cutting‑edge technology for coaching and talent identification, which he believes can accelerate the growth of cricket in the United States.
"Cricket hasn’t grown as fast as I expected in the US, but with what we have built, people of all ages can experience the skills of the game. It’s a platform like I’ve never seen before—technology is second to none and I can’t wait to see it in action," he enthused. Century Cricket’s global CEO, Chris Millard, echoed this sentiment, noting that the system allows players to train against virtual versions of world‑class bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah or Moeen Ali. The data‑driven approach can simulate specific deliveries, match scenarios and pitch conditions, offering a scalable solution for talent development worldwide.
Millard said, "It really is a global platform that can change cricket for the better. If we can scale it globally, we will be shaping the future of cricket." In summary, Ponting’s remarks underscore a period of transition for both Australia and England.
Australia must decide whether to persist with Labuschagne at No.3 or to introduce fresh blood ahead of a challenging South African series, while England is rebuilding under new leadership with the aim of reclaiming the Ashes. Both teams are also looking beyond traditional pathways, embracing innovative coaching tools like Century Cricket to nurture the next generation of talent. The upcoming months will reveal how these strategic decisions play out on the field, and whether the changes will indeed unearth the “really good talent” Ponting believes is waiting in the wings.