By recalling his own troubles facing Ishant Sharma 10 years ago in Perth, Ricky Ponting helped Aaron Finch to make a minor adjustment that delivered major results in the same city.
Finch struggled in Australia's first-Test loss to India at Adelaide Oval, with only a Sharma no-ball saving him from the ignominy of a pair.
But the national white-ball skipper, under increasing pressure to prove he's a viable option at the top of the Test order amid spirited debate, looked far more comfortable in a knock of 50 on day one of the second Test.
If Australia are to level the four-Test series at Optus Stadium, they're likely to highlight the importance of a 112-run opening stand between Finch and Marcus Harris.
And the origins of Finch's innings can be traced all the way back to Sharma's maiden tour of Australia, when he worked Ponting over in a brilliant spell and twice dismissed him at the WACA.
Ponting and Finch shared a long chat on Thursday in the nets, with the legend passing on a simple piece of advice.
"It was basically around covering my off stump and just lining up slightly different," Finch told reporters.
"It was just moving my guard slightly further over - my line where I want to try and hit the ball, with the ball swinging back in.
"Obviously, Ishant troubled Punter a little bit at the start of Ishant's career in Australia, moving the ball back in.
"It was good to have someone to chat to who has had to work through that, and just (about) your alignment and things like that."
Ponting, speaking on Seven during day one, downplayed the importance of his discussions with Finch and other members of Australia's Test squad.
"He (Australia's coach Justin Langer) invited me down," Ponting said.
"To be around the boys for a couple of hours, it's always an enjoyable time."
It isn't the first time Ponting has worked closely with Finch, whom he had bought during the 2015 Indian Premier League auction while coaching Mumbai.
Finch returned home because of a hamstring injury and missed Mumbai's charge to the title, but Ponting's mentorship left a big impression.
"It's his first coaching job and he was absolutely outstanding," Finch told AAP at the time.
"Being one of the best players in the world for a long time, he commanded that respect.
"But what impressed me was his energy and drive for the players to get better, plus his attention to detail."
