Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was known for his aggressive tactics and unreal ability to stay ahead of his opponents. Many experts of the game reckon Ponting was a sensational reader of the game who had dazzling skills to anticipate the aftermaths.
However, it’s been quite a few years since the Tasmanian has retired, but his capability of reading the outcome hasn’t gone down with the time. A display of such was seen on Day 2 of the ongoing second Ashes Test between Australia and England when Ponting perfectly predicted Cameron Green‘s dismissal.
It all happened during the 112th over of Australia’s first innings when Ponting was on-air. The legendary cricketer said that Green starts his batting with an open stance; the England bowlers will bowl full and straight in an attempt to square him up and target his stumps.
“Very distinct change of tactics for the new batsman Cameron Green. They will get a lot fuller and straighter, they will target his stumps. Have a look at how he sets up in his stance. He sets up with a very open front foot. That is generally a sign of someone who is very worried about getting LBW, doesn’t want to get their front foot too far across into the line of his stumps,” Ponting said while commentating for 7 Cricket.
Just a second after Ponting’s words, English all-rounder Ben Stokes bowled a fullish delivery that moved away and squared up Green. The batter was beaten with the late movement as the ball crashed his defence and hit the top of the off-stump.
Here is the video:
"A very distinct change of tactics now for Cam Green – they'll get a lot fuller and a lot straighter, they'll target his stumps."
– Ricky Ponting, right as Ben Stokes runs in and … bowls Green #Ashes pic.twitter.com/wPTV9kDE1Y
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 17, 2021
After the dismissal, Ponting dropped his analysis and suggested that Green should change his stance as when he moves forward, he gets outside the line that makes his defence weak.
“Look how open his stance is; there is massive back and across the movement. He is on or outside off stump with his back foot, and let us have a look at where his front foot goes. When he moves forward, he doesn’t ever get outside the line of his backfoot, which causes him to square up, that right hip is exposed, and he is then playing across the line of the ball,” explained Ponting.
Batting class is in session with Ricky Ponting.
His lesson on Cam Green's dismissal, what it says about his technique and mentality, and also an option on how to improve things #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ok0c2ROMNi
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 17, 2021
