Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has said that the Australian cricket is paying the price for the Cricket Australia’s reluctance to pay well to the State coaches. The Australian cricket is going through one of its toughest times in recent times and the Ponting suggested that the cricket body should increase the pay of the coaches to lure the greats of the game who are choosing commentary rather than coaching.

The Australian team is facing severe criticism for their dismal run in Test cricket in recent times. After being whitewashed 3-0 in Sri Lanka, Steve Smith’s men have now lost the first two games against South Africa in the ongoing three-match series. More than the defeats, the way they were defeated will be a real concern for the Australian team management. They were thoroughly outplayed in both the Tests and are in danger of being whitewashed again.

Expressing his concern over the dismal performances, Ponting told Alloutcricket.com: “Cricket Australia know this, I’ve been telling them this for a hundred years – they have to look at maybe paying State coaches more and trying to get the so-called experts in the game.”

“And it’s the same in England. If you look through the greats of the game, how many of those guys are actually back inside the system coaching somewhere? They’re not, they’re all sitting back behind a microphone commentating because they get paid more and it’s less intrusive time-wise. I think it’s something that needs to be looked at,” he added.

Meanwhile, one of the most successful captains of all time, Ponting is in fray for the national selector’s post along with former teammates Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie, after Rod Marsh quit from the post a couple of days ago.