Ricky Ponting has backed Marnus Labuschagne as a potential future Test captain of Australia. He also feels current skipper Tim Paine will be at the helm for another 12 months.

Labuschagne shone again on Friday with his fourth century of the Australian summer to further cement his place in the batting order at the No. 3 slot.

The 25-year-old finished Day I of the third and final Test against New Zealand unbeaten on 130 and appears to be a long-term prospect in the Australian side under Paine’s leadership.

“Paine hasn’t really got age on his side, but he probably had one of his best games for Australia last week in Melbourne,” Ponting told cricket.com.au, on being asked who would be Australia’s Test captain in a year’s time.

“Travis Head is the vice-captain now, while Marnus is another one who will come into the conversation in 12-18 months’ time once he has properly established himself in the team.

“He seems like the right sort of guy to maybe be a captain down the track at some point. But 12 months down the track, I’ll give Paine at least another 12 months.

“Yes, he’s 35. But if you think of it in cricketing terms, he’s still relatively young. He’s as fit as anyone in that squad.”

However, Paine must keep putting runs on the board at No. 7 if he is to maintain his place in the side, says Ponting.

“I think that’s the bottom line,” he said. “Everyone knows what a great ’keeper he is and if he keeps scoring runs and contributing to wins, I give him at least 12 months. You’ve still got to keep yourself in the team.

“If you look at the other teams around the world, that’s the way wicketkeeping has gone. You have to be able to contribute with the bat. If you don’t, the balance gets thrown out a little bit if you’ve got someone coming in at No. 7 that’s like a tailender. It doesn’t give you great balance.”