Ricky Ponting backs Cameron Green as Australia's long-term No.3 despite tough start
Green's struggles continued in the first Test against the West Indies, where he was dismissed cheaply for 3 and 15 on a spicy pitch. Despite that slow start, captain Pat Cummins had backed Green publicly, calling him a 'long-term option' for the crucial top-order role.And as the series progressed, Green began to find his feet, scoring 26, 52, 46, and 42 in difficult batting conditions to finish as the third-highest run-scorer in the series, behind teammates Travis Head (224 runs) and Alex Carey (187 runs).Speaking on the ICC Review, Ponting said Green's performance in the final Test of the West Indies series should silence some of his early critics.'There was some talk about Cameron Green, if he was a long-term No. 3 or not. Green's second innings in the West Indies might have just put some of that to bed. As tough as those conditions were, to bat for as long as he did in trying conditions, he might have silenced a few of those critics,' Ponting said.Ponting, who knows all about the pressures of batting at No. 3, said he was impressed with Green's composure under pressure and his ability to fight through tough spells of bowling.'Those weren't easy runs. It wasn't a flat track or a day-five pitch with nothing in it. The ball was doing a bit, and Green showed good discipline,' he said.Australia's Top 3 Under PressureLooking ahead to the home Ashes series against England, which begins in November, Ponting believes Australia are likely to stick with their current top three of Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, and Cameron Green.While Green appears to be settling into his role, Konstas's place is less certain. The 19-year-old opener impressed on debut against India earlier this year, scoring a rapid-fire 60, but has struggled for consistency since then. His West Indies tour was particularly disappointing, returning just 50 runs in six innings. Still, Ponting urged patience with the youngster.'I'm not going to make any really harsh judgment calls on Sam yet. It was hard work for every batter in that series, there's no doubt about it. I think they have to stick with him for a period of time and help him work through these deficiencies that he might have or might not have,' Ponting concluded.The Ashes series starts on November 21, before which Australia have to settle their line-up. Australia are the current retainers of the trophy, having won in 2020–21 at home and drawing the series in 2023 in England.- EndsMust Watch
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