Former Australia captain and legendary batter, Ricky Ponting exuded confidence in David Warner's ability to turn his fortunes around quickly after behind dismissed for a single-digit in the first innings of the ongoing first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Ponting opined that even though Warner was dismissed cheaply, the southpaw started his innings better than he has in the last couple of years.
"I thought he looked really good in the first innings of the WTC Final; the 40-odd he made there, he played really well," Ponting said on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“And even though he made nine in the first innings here, the way he actually started his innings was the best I have seen him start in two years of Test cricket. So it is still there. I think the fact that he was not able to score as freely as he would have wanted at the start of that innings played a part in him playing the shot that he did," he added.
Warner did survive the tricky 20-minute session against Stuart Broad on Day 1 of the Ashes 2023 opener but was dismissed by the English pacer once again on Day 2 on June 17 (Saturday). Warner, who is going through a lean patch, yet again became Broad's bunny and departed after scoring nine runs off 27 balls. It was for the 15th time that Broad got the better of Warner in Test cricket.
Ponting has no doubt that the second innings of the Edgbaston Test is crucial for Warner personally and for the Australian team as well. The ex-Aussie skipper reckons that Warner will make runs in the second innings if he got the same start as he did in the first innings.
"But there is no doubt the second innings is an important one for him – not just for his career’s sake, but it is going to be a big innings as far as this game and this series goes. If he starts the same way that he started in the first innings, then I think he will make some runs," said Ponting.
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