Ricky Ponting has openly stated that Marnus Labuschagne's place in the Australian Test side has become almost untenable, urging that England possess the talent required to "serve it up" to the Baggy Greens when The Ashes rolls around next summer. Labuschagne, who occupies the No. 3 position, managed scores of 1, 31 and 4 in the recent home series against Bangladesh that ended 1‑1, and he has not recorded a Test hundred in 43 innings. The 32‑year‑old is hoping to make the squad for the three‑match series in South Africa that begins on 9 October, but his last Test century came in the 2023 Ashes at Manchester.
Ponting, speaking to Sky Sports News in his capacity as ambassador, investor and global advisor for Century Cricket – a coaching and talent‑identification centre launching in Manhattan – had already highlighted Labuschagne’s difficulties against the back‑foot attack during the Bangladesh series while analysing the matches for Australian broadcaster Channel 7. "Australia has been a dominant side for a long time, but we have been carrying a few players for the last couple of years," the 51‑year‑old said. "I think a change is inevitable heading into South Africa – Labuschagne’s spot is almost untenable, so the selectors will have to look at alternatives at No 3." He added that the team may also want to shift Travis Head back to the No 5 slot rather than keeping him as an opener, which could open a pathway for a younger batsman to take on opening duties.
"It won’t be easy against that South African attack, but we have reached a point where we need to try something new. We won’t lose anything by experimenting, and we might even uncover a very promising talent," Ponting continued.
England, meanwhile, has undergone its own transformation this summer. Captain Ben Stokes stepped away from international cricket, and former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was dismissed after a string of seven defeats in his final ten matches, including a dismal 4‑1 Ashes loss over the winter.
Joe Root has taken over the captaincy and began his second spell as leader with a series win over Pakistan, while Stephen Fleming, another ex‑New Zealand captain, has been appointed to replace McCullum and will officially assume the role ahead of the winter tour of South Africa. Speaking before England secured a win over Pakistan at Lord’s, Ponting said, "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 completely different personality in Fleming, there is no doubt the talent exists to really give the Australians a run for their money in the next Ashes." England’s four‑pronged seam attack – Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson – has impressed against Pakistan, albeit against a fragile batting line‑up.
Former Australian batsman Mike Hussey has been linked with the England batting coach role after serving as a consultant for the IPL’s Chennai Super Kings while Fleming was head coach. Ponting believes other opportunities could soon arise for his former teammate. Hussey, who played 79 Tests, 185 ODIs and 38 T20Is for Australia between 2005 and 2013, previously acted as England’s batting consultant during their T20 World Cup triumph in Australia in 2022. Ponting remarked, "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 next. There might be a role with the Australian team in the pipeline, and there are rumours he could become head coach of Chennai Super Kings, which would rule out other options. At the end of the day we’re all coaches trying to do what we can. He’s done the England job before and could easily slip back into it." Regarding his involvement with Century Cricket, Ponting – who also heads the Punjab Kings in the IPL and Washington Freedom in the US‑based Major League Cricket – explained, "Being part of a platform like this, which I can use as a coaching and talent‑identification tool, and helping grow the game in the United States, is the main reason I’m involved.
Cricket hasn’t expanded as quickly in the US as I thought it would, but with what we’ve built, people of all ages can experience the skill side of the sport. It’s a platform unlike anything I’ve seen before. The technology is second to none and I can’t wait to see it in action." The system allows training to be preset for specific deliveries, bowlers and match scenarios.
Century Cricket’s global CEO Chris Millard added, "It truly is a global platform that can change cricket for the better. People can face a Jasprit Bumrah or a Moeen Ali in any setting they choose. We have the data to make that happen, and if we can scale it worldwide, we will be shaping the future of cricket."