Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has asked England captain Joe Root to look after rival team’s batsmen Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne so that he can stay at the crease for a long time. One of the most successful Test batsmen in the world, Root has started well in the two Ashes Tests so far but has been dismissed before giving the team a strong position.
During England’s second innings in the opening Test at the Gabba, Root made a comeback into the match, cementing England’s position before being caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey off Green for 89. Ponting said that Root was playing well technically, but Root could not play the shot properly on the ball he got out.
On Sunday, an Australia cricket website quoted Ponting as saying, ‘It is a mental mistake, because there was no technical flaw in the way he got out the last two times, but it should be seen that the ball he got out. Can’t play it properly.
Ponting, who is also the head coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Delhi Capitals. He also pointed out that even coming to bat after fielding for almost two days on the field affected Root.
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