Australian wicket-keeper Tim Paine asked the former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, for some advice on how to play the pull shot. Punter’s suggestion was very clear and to the point: “Play it better,” he told Paine.

After spending 7 years in the wilderness, Paine finally returned to the Australian Test team. In the three innings since his return, the gloveman has been dismissed twice while hooking the ball. In the ongoing Ashes, Tim got out for 57 in Gabba and 11 in Adelaide, as he was caught in the deep on both occasions.

Since then he has been asking Ponting, his batting mentor, for some tips. "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."

Ponting has always punished the short and wide deliveries and sent them to the leg-side in style. The former Australian skipper believes his upbringing on synthetic wickets and playing against older, faster bowlers made him confident to play his trademark shot.

"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 return.

"When he's out there playing well, he looks as good as any of the other batters around the country.”

He thinks Paine has yet to offer a lot and the keeper-batsman’s highest score till date is a proof of how he can handle stressful situations.

"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."