Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
Ricky Ponting is a fan of Bazball, but says England face a conundrum for the Ashes. The former Australian captain, now one of the world’s finest commentators, believes England will bat aggressively in Australia, but even flat pitches can work against them in their quest to win.
“I’m as Aussie as anyone and I love watching the way England play. The Aussies embraced it and learnt about it the last time they were here,” Ponting said in an interview with The Times.
“They’ll have an understanding now of what is a slightly more refined version of what England started a few years ago [when Ben Stokes became captain and Brendon McCullum coach].
“I think they can [bat aggressively in Australia], and they will definitely try.”
The key question Ricky Ponting has about Bazball
With the praise came a key question. Ponting believes the England batting lineup will be tested significantly in more bowler-friendly conditions. However, it is those spicier conditions that England may actually need from a bowling perspective.
Pitches down under have provided more assistance for the fast bowlers in recent years, with Australia fighting hard against Pakistan, West Indies and India in the past two years. England have not won a Test in Australia since 2011 and have struggled for bowling penetration in the three subsequent tours.
“It’ll be interesting to see which way we prepare our tracks,” Ponting said. “I don’t think the Aussies will be saying anything to the groundsmen. Certainly through my time, I didn’t speak to the groundsman, and even my coaches didn’t speak to him.
“They always expected them to prepare the best wicket they could… I don’t really know which way England want it.
“They probably play their best cricket when they’ve got flatter pitches because that’s what they need for their batting, but in Australia, they probably need something in the wickets to help their bowling.”
From a bowling perspective, England’s fastest bowlers – Jofra Archer and Mark Wood – will be key to their chances. However, it is highly unlikely either will play five Tests given their injury history. So, the likes of Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and especially Ben Stokes will have a vital role to play.
Also vital to England’s hopes is Joe Root. England’s stalwart recently went past Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history. Now, a century and dominant performances in Australia will seal Root’s legacy.
However, Ponting has seen enough, naming Joe Root among the very best he’s witnessed.
“Brian Lara was the most skillful batsman I played against, and when I was captain, he gave me more sleepless nights than anybody. Sachin [Tendulkar] was technically as good as anyone I’ve seen, along with Rahul Dravid; I’d put Joe in there now as well, and Kane Williamson.”
