By IANS,
Melbourne : Ricky Ponting’s lack of runs in the Indian Premier League is not bothering Australian coach Tim Nielsen as he is confident the captain will come out of the slump on the upcoming tour of the West Indies.
Ponting is the only big-name Australian to have struggled in the IPL, posting a modest 39 runs at 9.75 in four matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders, including a pair of ducks.
Ponting never appeared at ease at the crease in the IPL, but Nielsen said nothing should be made of the Australian skipper’s performances.
“He’ll come back and I am sure the opportunities to bat outside against net bowlers over there in India will hold him in good stead,” Nielsen was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.
“It will be great opportunity for him to come back (to Australia) with cricket under his belt and start to knuckle down and get himself right for Test match cricket,” he said.
Nielsen said the extra workload from playing in the IPL would not be detrimental to Ponting.
“He has only played four games over there. He had a good six-day break between his second and third games,” Nielsen said.
“They all understood the things I suppose they were compromising by going over to the IPL. They were giving up some time at home.
“But it’s only been a couple of weeks over there. I suppose they were really looking at it as a chance to kick-start their preparations.”
The Australians leave for the Caribbean May 9 to take on a West Indian side, which may not include skipper Chris Gayle, who has a hairline fracture in his groin, which may require surgery.