Australia captain Ricky Ponting says opener David Warner needs to keep things simple if he wants to turn around his disappointing one-day international form.

While Warner is an established member of Australia’s Twenty20 squad and has made a bright start to his Test career, the 25-year-old is yet to fully showcase his talents in 50-over cricket for his country.

In 14 ODIs Warner averages just 20.07 with a highest score of 74 and only two 50s.

His struggles in ODIs have continued this summer, scoring 71 runs in four innings of the triangular series at just 17.75.

But Ponting says just like another explosive left-handed opening batsman, former star Adam Gilchrist, Warner must not start thinking too much about his technique and should just back his natural game.

“He probably hasn’t got the results that he’d want in one-day cricket in his relatively short career so far but the one thing players like David can’t afford to do is second-guess themselves,” Ponting said.

“Gilly was exactly the same. They’re hand-eye players and they’ve got to see the ball, hit the ball and not really think too much about it.

“Sometimes it’s the stuff between your ears that gets a little bit clouded and that makes playing your natural game a little bit hard. I think that’s probably what Dave’s going through right at the moment.”

Keeping Warner’s mind clear was part of the reason the vice-captain was overlooked earlier this week for the skipper’s job in favour of Ponting with Michael Clarke injured.

And coach Mickey Arthur says that was the right call.

“We brought Dave into the vice-captaincy position to learn to be part of our leadership group and to learn from Michael and I when we strategise our position,” Arthur said.

“In terms of taking guys on the field right now, he’s not ready for that yet and he understands that.”