{
  "id": 2568092,
  "title": "‘Time to have look at somebody else’: Ponting wants AUS to look past Labuschagne",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/time-to-have-look-at-somebody-else-ponting-wants-aus-to-look-past",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T11:44:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ricky-ponting-slams-marnus-labuschagne-dropped-aus-vs-ban-10844981/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has called for a change in the Australian batting lineup, specifically suggesting to look past Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne, who was dismissed for just 4 runs in the recent Test match against Bangladesh, has struggled to rediscover his best form. Ponting, on 7Cricket, expressed his admiration for the selectors' efforts to get Labuschagne back on track but argued that it has been too long without success. Ponting believes there is a technical deficiency in Labuschagne's game, particularly his inability to score off the back foot, which has made batting challenging for him. He emphasized that when Labuschagne was at his peak, he consistently scored off both front and back foot, averaging 65-68 in Test matches. Ponting stated that the bowlers now know they can run in and bowl from various lengths without worrying about Labuschagne hurting them. With Labuschagne's lack of form and no recent Test century in over two years, Ponting believes it is time to consider other options in the Australian batting lineup. He highlighted the importance of finding players who can make batting look easy and bring a fresh perspective to the team.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Ponting suggests looking past Labuschagne in Australian batting lineup.",
    "Labuschagne dismissed for 4 runs in recent Test match against Bangladesh.",
    "Ponting cites technical deficiency in Labuschagne's game, particularly off the back foot."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}