Ricky Ponting, a legendary captain for Australia, claimed that England‘s “Bazball” strategy in the just finished Ashes left the Kangaroos “scratching the head.” Ponting claimed that numerous “Bazball” conversations had taken place and had negatively impacted the Australian attack.
With victories in the first two games, the visitors started the series well. Ben Stokes and company did, however, mount a dramatic comeback in the series, winning the third game. Australia was prevented from registering a record victory on English soil as the fourth Test in Manchester finished in a draw and England eventually won the decisive match.
“It was fascinating to witness the two different playing styles. There was a lot of discussion about Bazball and how England would play it. Would that strategy hold up against the caliber of the Australian attack? Looking back, it probably did, Ricky Ponting said on the Tim Paine and SEN Tassie breakfast program.
Probably fair, the Ashes score was 2-2: Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting continued, “Bazball left Australia looking for explanations in the five-game series.” But he did concede that the final score of 2-2 was a just outcome. He added that England’s decision to controversially change the ball during the fifth and final Test at The Oval in London helped the team win the series.
“It definitely left several Australian players, coaches, and the captain at various points wondering how they were going to handle it. The 48-year-old continued, “I think the 2-2 result was probably fair, even though it was probably slightly biased due to some controversy in the final Test where the ball was changed from how it was and gave England some conditions they probably shouldn’t have gotten. I also think that given the caliber of cricket played throughout the series, the 2-2 result was probably not unfair.
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