Where would you bat Ponting ?

[age_master]

3. If he gets sacked as captain i reckon his batting average will start heading north again.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by age_master

3. If he gets sacked as captain i reckon his batting average will start heading north again.

Marcus North?

[morgieb]

3. Who else would? Clarke's meh up the order, Hussey hasn't batted 3 afaik.

[honestbharani]

This would make sense if Australia had a 4,5 or 6 who was setting the world on fire.. They are not, so Ponting should not move from his normal position.

[Hit Wicket]

Way to approach the question should not be whether Australia have a better number 3 waiting, but rather can Ponting produce more down the order?

Even if he is replaced by someone who averages 5 runs lesser than Ponting is contributing at 3 and it helps Ponting to up his average by 10-12 points (close to his career average), it is ultimately beneficial for the team.

Is it possible? I certainly think so. Ponting has been one of the better number 6 batsmen in the early days of his career, so certainly knows how to bat lower down at 5/6. And where it will make a difference is in the number of times he is getting out without getting a proper start. Against an older ball he should be able to get through the tough initial periods more frequently.

[Midwinter]

Well put.

That is the point of this thread.

[Midwinter]

Well put.

Just the answer I was looking for.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Hit Wicket

Way to approach the question should not be whether Australia have a better number 3 waiting, but rather can Ponting produce more down the order?

Even if he is replaced by someone who averages 5 runs lesser than Ponting is contributing at 3 and it helps Ponting to up his average by 10-12 points (close to his career average), it is ultimately beneficial for the team.

Is it possible? I certainly think so. Ponting has been one of the better number 6 batsmen in the early days of his career, so certainly knows how to bat lower down at 5/6. And where it will make a difference is in the number of times he is getting out without getting a proper start. Against an older ball he should be able to get through the tough initial periods more frequently.

Ponting coming in against spin isn't going to increase his average by 10-12 points.

No he's not poor against spin, but it's hardly a smart move.

If Ponting improves his average since 2007, it'll be because his form improves or he puts away the short ball. Not because he comes in at 7 with Swann or Harbhajan already having 2 wickets to their name.

[honestbharani]

We are seeing that he is struggling with the pressure when he is batting 1 down.. Imagine him coming in 3 down or 4 down for 50 or 60!!!!!!!

[Debris]

Originally Posted by honestbharani

This would make sense if Australia had a 4,5 or 6 who was setting the world on fire.. They are not, so Ponting should not move from his normal position.

Actually, the number 5 batsman at the moment is going pretty well.

[honestbharani]

Originally Posted by Debris

Actually, the number 5 batsman at the moment is going pretty well.

yeah.. trust him enough to do it at 3 though?

[Debris]

No. The only way I would move Ponting from 3 would be if Khawaja was picked. Then I would have Khawaja at 3, Ponting at 4 and Clarke at 6.

[TumTum]

Originally Posted by Debris

No. The only way I would move Ponting from 3 would be if Khawaja was picked. Then I would have Khawaja at 3, Ponting at 4 and Clarke at 6.

Khawaja at 3?

Apart from his front-foot technical deficiency, he is not really a fast scoring batsman. This is also basically ignoring that it would be his debut and it would be insane to bat him up that high.

[GotSpin]

Originally Posted by TumTum

Khawaja at 3?

Apart from his front-foot technical deficiency, he is not really a fast scoring batsman. This is also basically ignoring that it would be his debut and it would be insane to bat him up that high.

What are you talking about?

[Hit Wicket]

Originally Posted by TumTum

Khawaja at 3?

Apart from his front-foot technical deficiency, he is not really a fast scoring batsman. This is also basically ignoring that it would be his debut and it would be insane to bat him up that high.

I have never seen Khwaja in action for a significant period of time, so will not comment on his suitability.

However, the argument that he is a defensive batsman falls flat on it's face when you look at Dravid at number 3. Ponting was an excellent number 3 for Australia during their years of domination. However, a complete number 3 should also have the ability to shut shop and get settled in tough conditions and situations. Dravid, in that respect is the complete number 3 - Headingly '02 is the ultimate number 3 innings - and not Ponting, whose only instinct is to attack. Sometimes situations in life and cricket demand licking your chops and admitting that the opposition has got the upper hand, knuckling down and weather the storm rather than go on the offensive.

Ponting has done it on a few occasions with reasonable success, but is not a natural number 3. His falling away at the position in a depleted team is a testament to his limitations as a number 3.