Ricky Ponting, former captain of Australia, believes that the inclusion of Bazball in the English game was done specifically for the forthcoming Ashes series.
The 48-year-old is eagerly anticipating the start of the five-match series at Edgbaston and has praised England’s new approach to Test cricket under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as “refreshing.”
England’s game has undergone a remarkable transformation since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took command of the Test team and committed to playing an unconventional brand of ultra-aggressive cricket.
Ponting, who has won the coveted trophy five times and lost it three times, believes the Australian offence must be prepared for the Bazball strategy.
“I believe that they’ve played this way for the past few years in preparation for this series. I believe they are searching for a style of cricket that will enable them to win an Ashes series. Honestly, it’s been refreshing to see the triumph at all costs mentality.
“I’m not saying they don’t care, but they’re not prioritising it over winning the game. They’ve made it abundantly clear that they intend to try it, so I don’t believe it’s impossible that it could succeed. Ponting told the ICC that the Australian attack will need to be prepared. “I have a few thoughts on what I’d do if I were an Australian fast bowler or if I was advising an Australian fast bowler on how to bowl to an England batsman,” he said.
How will England fare against the Australian batters? Ricky Ponting
Ponting suggested that the English seamers would prefer vibrant wickets as Australia gains control of the ongoing World Test Championship final against India. Ponting believes that Stokes’ demand for flat and fast pitches to accommodate his batters could boomerang on his bowlers, as the Australians are prepared to capitalise with the willow.
“I’m very curious to see under what conditions England intends to play this form of cricket. If they have flatter wickets with fewer boundaries, it could backfire on the bowling team, so let’s see what happens. Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, and Ollie Robinson will require deliveries that provide something of value. Let’s see how they perform against the Australian batsmen if they don’t have those wickets for their bowling attack, he added.
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