IND vs AUS 2nd Test: 'Fast-learner' Finch has a bright future in the Baggy Green, says Ricky Ponting

Impressed with Aaron Finch's half-century on day one in Perth, Australia legendary batsman Ricky Ponting said that Finch can handle the most crucial responsibility of opening the batting in Test cricket

Australia legendary batsman Ricky Ponting, impressed with Aaron Finch's half-century on day one in Perth said that Finch can handle the most crucial responsibility of opening the batting in Test cricket and have a bright future in the Baggy Green.

Opener Aaron Finch gave Australia a significant start by scoring a brilliant half-century in the second Test. The 32-year-old played a composed 105-ball 50 runs knock with six boundaries in a first-wicket stand of 112 with Marcus Harris at the Perth Stadium against India.

"What it showed today to everybody, and more importantly to himself, is that he has got a game that can stand up opening the batting at Test level," Ponting told cricket.com.au.

"He's been working hard on a few things over the last few weeks and I know Justin Langer did a lot of really good stuff with him in Adelaide on the night the (first Test) finished, a few balance things and few thing to take the weight out of his front leg and not fall so much across his stumps.

"He had a few moments today where he did that a little bit, but in general I thought he played really well.

"He looked to be aggressive, play the ball off the back foot, which is a really good sign for him. It means he's not getting onto the front foot too early.

"When you do go on the front foot too early you struggle to play back and miss out on a lot of scoring opportunities.

"He'd be disappointed to get out the way he got out after being 50 and batting a long period of time then missing a full, straight one."

Ponting said he was happy to pass on his experience to Finch. The former captain also said he observed that Finch faces the same technical issues as the ones he faced during his career at international level – falling to one side and over-balancing on his front leg. 

 "The way that he plays, looking to get forward and across his stumps, is sort of the way I played," he said. 

"It was the little things that I had to work on right through my career, just to help out with my balance and 'un-weighting' my front leg if you like, to load up a bit of weight on my back foot and making one move into the ball rather than trying to make two or three movements. 

"The most important thing with Aaron is that I'd rather see him being beaten on the outside of the bat, not the inside of the bat. 

"If he thinks about staying leg-side of the ball and not over-committing to the line too early then I think he's got a very bright future at Test level."