‘It’s more of a mental battle’ – Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting backs David Warner for remainder of Ashes 2023

Star Australian batter David Warner is struggling with poor form in the longest format of the game. In the ongoing Ashes series, Warner has scored just 141 runs in three games at an average of 23.50. He has been struggling against the pace attack, especially Stuart Broad. His place in the squad for the last two matches is also in jeopardy as fans and cricket pundits have already written him off.

Meanwhile, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has expressed his verdict on Warner’s performance. He believes that the team needs to keep faith in him, considering his experience. “I know there’s been a lot of chat the last couple of days since the end of Headingley, and it’s more the fact that it’s Broad that’s getting him out, I think,” said Ponting. “I think if it were anybody else, the noise probably wouldn’t be quite as loud, but the fact that he struggled to get through the opening spells of Broad a few times in this series again makes it a little bit more of a worry.”

“And the reason I say that is because I’ve played against teams and bowlers in the past where you just know that they’ve got the wood on you and they’re on top of you, and you just can’t get away from it. If I’m Ben Stokes, even if David Warner gets through the first spell of Stuart Broad, then I’ll give him a short break and bring him back again. When someone’s got you out 17 times, it does become as much of a mental or probably more of a mental battle than it does a technical battle,” he further explained.

I’d be inclined to stick with Warner: Ricky Ponting

Further speaking about Warner’s place in the Test squad, Ponting said that he would be inclined towards Warner. “But just thinking about the series, I’d be inclined to stick with David Warner. If you’re going into the fourth Test match of an Ashes series with the Ashes on the line, do you bring a Marcus Harris or a Matt Renshaw in that simply haven’t played a game of cricket for… I don’t know how long it’s been since they’ve played a first-class game”, says Ponting.

“Even if you did make the change, you’d be making a pretty courageous call to bring someone in that hasn’t been in the line-up. Right now I’m probably more inclined to give David another opportunity and hope that he can get through Stuart Broad and go on and make a big score,” he argued.

The series scoreline currently reads 2-1 in favour of Australia with England winning the third match in Headingley, Leeds. The fourth match is set to take place in Old Trafford, Manchester on July 19.