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'Outplayed, Outwitted': Ponting Slams Aussie Batters After Darwin Meltdown Against Bangladesh

World Test Championship: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hit out at the hosts' batters following a dismal day one performance against Bangladesh in the ongoing first Test, adding that their early season rustiness meant they were outplayed and outwitted by the visitors' bowling line-up. Australia were bowled out for a paltry 198 after opting to bat first, with Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud tearing through the lineup with figures of 6-55. Now with Bangladeshs lead crossing 150, it meant the focus is back on Australias shoddy batting performance, where barring Steve Smith (71), no one made a notable contribution. There was a lot of early-season rustiness, they havent played for a long time, but you cant excuse some of the technical issues and flaws we saw from the top order in particular. I was surprised Australia actually chose to bat, especially with Bangladesh coming off just 54 in the warm-up game. The Australian seamers on that wicket yesterday morning would have been near-on unplayable. A few eyebrows raised when Australia did decide to bat. But when you win the toss and decide to bat everyone is expecting a few more than 190 against an attack like that, Ponting said on SENs Fireball. Calling out the national selectors for being hesitant to transition towards youngsters, Ponting pointed out that Australia have fielded their oldest Test side since 1928, with all-rounder Cameron Green (27) being the sole under-30 player. I still feel like they missed an opportunity in these couple of games to look at some younger talent that weve got in Australia. I know the Sheffield Shield numbers arent outstanding for our young batters, but I think we might have to look a bit deeper than just what the numbers suggest. Go with a bit of gut-feel and pick on talent because what weve got in the current side now - and it has been for a couple of years - has not looked up to the mark of Test cricket level. It (change) is going to happen. Theyve got 21 Tests coming up until the end of the World Test Championship (WTC) - theyre at home to New Zealand, theyre away to South Africa, theyre away to India. Inevitably theyll be going through 16-18 players in this next little run. So I think organically it will start to happen where guys will be coming in and out just to try and manage them through until the end of it, he noted. Addressing whether a potential defeat to Bangladesh would force structural changes, Ponting stated, You would like to think so. This group has been so tight. I dont know if theyre scared of making change, or deep down they know that there might not be anything better thats waiting underneath. Theyve got 21 Tests coming up until the end of the World Test Championship (WTC) - theyre at home to New Zealand, theyre away to South Africa, theyre away to India. Inevitably theyll be going through 16-18 players in this next little run. So I think organically it will start to happen where guys will be coming in and out just to try and manage them through until the end of it, he noted. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Theyll get a chance to bat on the wicket when its at its absolute best. Thats when well see if these guys are actually up to it, because if theyre not up to it in the second innings then maybe it is time to have a look at someone else. Article Source: IANS