Ponting tells batsmen to front up
Australia captain Ricky Ponting has sent out a blunt message to his top-order team-mates ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne: "make more runs."
Australia's top five batsmen made a total of two fifties between them in the first Test at the WACA in Perth and if the hosts are to level the three-Test series that they currently trail 1-0 at the MCG, Ponting said more runs will need to flow from the side's recognised batsmen.
"The top-order batting, probably in both innings, left a little bit to be desired so that's one aspect that we all want to tighten up," said the skipper.
The 34-year-old was also quick to defend Matthew Hayden after the under-fire opener failed again in Perth, insisting he was just one of many who needed to lift their games ahead of the second Test.
"Matty (Hayden) obviously has had his fair share of criticism this week but he has worked extremely hard on his game, has got a very good record here in Melbourne for Boxing Day Test matches and hopefully he can have another great game this week," Ponting added.
"I made zero and 32 in Perth - 32's not good enough for a top-order batsman either. Once you get a start you're expected to go on and make big scores."
Reigning Allan Border Medalist Brett Lee is another elder statesman who has struggled for form and, consequently, found himself under the glare of media scrutiny.
However, Ponting still has the utmost faith in Lee's abilities and expects the 32-year-old to bounce back after taking only one for 132 in Perth.
"For me and for Brett it's about backing himself, backing his abilities knowing that he's got the rest of us behind him," he added.
"We want him to stand up and continue to be the leader of attack that he has been for the last couple of years."
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