Ponting needs to show patience to tackle spin, says Chappell

Ponting has compiled more than 10,000 Test runs and averaged 58.37 in his glittering career, but the one black spot has been his form in India. In eight Tests he has a mere 172 runs at a staggeringly low average of just 12.28.

"Playing good spinners has always been Ponting's achilles heel. He tends to push out at the ball when defending rather than letting the ball come to him," Chappell was quoted as saying in Herald Sun Friday.

"Good players of spin reach out to smother the spin in attack, but in defence let the ball come to them.

Ponting has been particularly tormented by Harbhajan Singh.

Chappell, who conquered India in 1969-70 with 324 runs at 46.28, said Ponting would need to rethink his approach against spinners in the Indian tour.

"Ponting has been dismissed for so many low scores, he hasn't found a method that will allow him to survive this danger period.

"The important things are finding a survival method, watching the ball off the pitch really closely, working out what shots you can and can't play and learning you have a fraction of a second longer to play the ball off the pitch when compared to Australia."

Chappell said it was crucial Ponting worked his way into his innings, rather than attack from the start.

"Adjusting to playing good spin bowling in India is the toughest challenge facing an Australian batsman," Chappell said.

"Ponting's desire to dictate gets him into a bit of trouble in India. He hasn't displayed the patience required at the start of an innings when you are facing good spinners in India."

Ponting has unfinished business in India in more ways than one after missing out on being a real part of Australia's 2004 series win because of a broken thumb. av/tb

(365 Words)19091730NNNN (IANS)

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