Brisbane, May 9: After failing to fire for Kolkata in the cash rich Indian Premier League (IPL), Australian captain Ricky Ponting has turned to high-tech plasma screen gadgetry in a private batting tutorial to help snap his form slump.

In Allan Border Field here, a plasma screen television was hauled into the practice net next to Ponting as he was videotaped facing deliveries from a bowling machine. The video footage was fed through the plasma screen, on a five-second delay, enabling Ponting to play a stroke and then watch it replayed immediately on TV. Ponting, who endured a run of low scores in last summer's one-day series and which continued in the IPL, emerged delighted and enthused from the net session.

''It's the first time I've used that, it is the best little coaching session you can have,'' Ponting declared.

''It's good to have a coach or someone standing by that knows your game. But to have it explained to you is one thing, to see it for yourself and be able to identify yourself what you are doing during a shot is fantastic.'' Ponting claims he is not overly worried by his form slump - most recently scoring just 39 runs in four matches in the IPL- but feels the plasma session is a ''priceless'' tool which can help him return to his devastating best.

''Sometimes you know yourself what you are doing but to put your finger right on it is a little more difficult,'' Ponting said.

''With this set-up, you hit one and you give yourself time to have a look at the replay and digest it.

''It can pick up everything - head position, backlift and whatever it is you want to work on.

''I have used game footage over the years but to have it at training, especially when you are trying to get everything ticking over again, is priceless.'' Australia will leave tomorrow for a three-Test tour of the West Indies.

UNI