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Ricky Ponting believes England’s success within the Ashes will rely on their top-order’s strong start. He praised their aggressive approach.
Aussie legend Ricky Ponting (PTI)
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes England’s success on this yr’s crucial Ashes series will largely rely on their top-order providing a powerful start. England recently concluded a 2-2 series draw against India and can face their next Test challenge when the Ashes series kicks off on November 21 in Perth.
Ponting, quoted by The Times on Saturday, expressed his admiration for England’s approach, stating, “I’m as Aussie as anyone, and I like watching the way in which they (England) play. The Aussies embraced it and learnt about it the last time they were here. They’ll have an understanding now of what’s a rather more refined version of what England began just a few years ago,” Ponting was quoted as saying by The Times on Saturday.
He acknowledged England’s potential to bat aggressively in Australia, saying, “I believe they will (bat aggressively in Australia), and they’ll definitely try. It’s the way in which they naturally play, and it’s the way in which the coaches and captain want them to play. It’s the way in which they should play — it just sets up all the things for England, putting immediate pressure back on the bowlers.”
Ponting emphasised the importance of adaptability, noting, “You (the fielding side) need to adapt really quickly. They probably hold the important thing in Australia. In the event that they can bat rather well at the highest, and set things up, that may give them probability within the series.”
He also observed England’s ability to refine their ultra-attacking Bazball approach, avoiding a one-dimensional strategy. “When it first began, it looked like Joe (Root) got carried away a bit. He modified his game. He’s gone back to playing normally.”
Ponting highlighted the aggressive nature of players like Ollie Pope and the more measured approach of Ben Stokes, despite his lower strike rate. He mentioned Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley as leading figures on this refined approach against top teams.
“Ollie Pope is of course aggressive and scores pretty quickly. Stokes might need the bottom strike rate of all of the batters because it began (he does). (Ben) Duckett and (Zak) Crawley are the 2 leading the way in which. So there’s been some refinement, and against one of the best teams they needed it,” he said.
What Did Ponting Say About Ashes Pitches?
Regarding the pitch conditions, Ponting said, “It’ll be interesting to see which way we prepare our tracks. I don’t think the Aussies might be saying anything to the groundsmen. Definitely, throughout my time, I didn’t speak to the groundsman, and even my coaches didn’t speak to him.”
“They at all times expected them to organize one of the best wicket they might… I don’t really know which way England want it. They probably play their best cricket once they’ve got flatter pitches, because that’s what they need for his or her batting, but in Australia they probably need something within the wickets to assist their bowling,” he said.
Ponting concluded by expressing hope for England’s fast bowling attack within the five-match series in Australia. “England are praying they’ll have Archer and Wood fit. In the event that they are, they’ll have a crack with each of them in Perth and Brisbane, after which attempt to mix and match them for the remainder of the series.”
“Archer adds a lot to their line-up, that bit of additional pace that lifts everyone’s energy. And he’s done well against Australia prior to now, and so has Wood. In the event that they get each of them right, the attack looks pretty strong. Gus Atkinson looked good, and he’ll bowl OK in Australia,” he added.
(With inputs from IANS)
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and all the things that’s cricket from everywhere in the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and all the things that’s cricket from everywhere in the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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