Ashes 2017/18: Ricky Ponting's Advice for Tim Paine to Improve on the Pull, Hook Shot

Australian wicket-keeper Tim Paine is facing some problem with the short deliveries in the ongoing Ashes. When the gloveman went up to former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting for some tips on how to execute the pull and the hook shot, he was given a direct to the point answer by the two time World Cup-winning skipper.

“Play it better,” Ponting told Paine. The wicket-keeper batsman made a return to international cricket after a gap of seven years but has hardly put a foot wrong ever since returning to the Australian squad.

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He got dismissed off a brilliant outswinger from James Anderson in the 1^st Test before returning with scores of 57 and 11 in the 2^nd Test in Adelaide.

In the 2^nd Test, Paine was dismissed while attempting a pull shot on both occasions and has since then returned to his mentor Ponting to get the act better.

“I did ask him about it, and he just said ‘play it better’, which is pretty good advice,” Paine said.

“The one in the first innings I just hit a little bit better than I thought and the second innings I tried to hit it over the grandstand. I’ll certainly be doing some work on it, I’d be silly not to, but I’ll still look to take it on, just play it better,” he further added.

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Ponting was undoubtedly one of the best exponents of the pull and the hook shot during his 17-year illustrious career. He pounced on to anything short and deposited it towards the leg side boundary in an exquisite fashion.

In the recent past, Ponting has been working day in and day out with Paine, as he feels his Test best of 92 against India is proof that he can bat in challenging conditions.

“Technically he’s very correct. When you watch him in the Big Bash you just think, ‘how has this guy not actually scored more Shield runs?” Ponting told cricket.com.au after hearing of Paine’s Test recall.

“There’s no doubting there’s a lot of talent there, and he’s made a Test match 92 before in tough conditions in India, so let’s hope he can repay the faith the selectors have shown – I’m sure he will,” Ponting concluded.

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