Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that the nation should put more trust in batsman Phil Hughes.

The 24-year-old, who has been moved up and down the batting order, has been dropped three times by the Aussies.

"He is clearly our best young batsman in the country," BBC Sport quotes Ponting as saying.

"The guy knows how to bat. He knows how to score runs. And he's just the sort of character that you love to have around your team.

"He would be somebody that I would give a spot in the order and let him go about making that his own. If you give him a bit of love and a bit of stability around his game, I'm sure he'll come good."

Australia are preparing to take on England in the return Ashes series next month following their defeat on British shores.