Thaindian News

Melbourne, Dec 28 (ANI): Former skipper Steve Waugh has said that the Australian batsmen are employing cheap limited overs tricks when a back to basics approach is desperately needed in the Test series.

He hit out at the flimsy batting techniques for sabotaging Australia’s Ashes campaign while noting the fluctuating focus of successor Ricky Ponting.

The flaws in opener Phil Hughes’ technique are well documented while Waugh implored Australia’s batting group to work harder and smarter with mentor Justin Langer to suppress a quality England attack, FOX Sports reports.

“You can’t expect to pull it out in front of 80,000 people Boxing Day when the pressure is on. You have to have the basics and good foundation that you know will hold up under pressure and right now I don’t think some (players) have done the hard work,” he said.

“They are opening their front leg up and playing a lot of shots front-on to the bowler. I think in a tough situation you have to be side on, leave the ball and play with soft hands and they are not really doing it,” Waugh told Channel 9.

Waugh recalled how conjecture over his place in the Australia side in the twilight of a 168-Test career had affected his mindset, said veteran Ponting must react with a vengeance.

“You feel under siege, like everyone is coming at you from different angles and it is hard to get clarity in your mind,” said Waugh, who avoided the sack with a gritty 29th Test hundred (102) against England at the SCG in 2003.

“Ricky is probably not quite focused when he goes out to bat. There’s a lot of things on his mind, probably not thinking with a clear head. It is tough but it is your role to pass on information, knowledge,” he added. (ANI)