New Delhi: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has argued that England’s Bazball strategy was particularly designed to win the Ashes in Australia. He additionally accused the crew of being dishonest about their type and leads to public statements.
Many consultants and pundits share comparable views, together with Nasser Hussain, who talked about that the English crew has been working laborious over the previous three years to defeat Australia on Australian soil. Nevertheless, Ponting advised 7NEWS that England’s aggressive type underneath Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes has all the time been centered on mastering Australian situations, even when the crew presents it as a long-term revolution.
“They are a aspect which have been collectively for 2 years (for the reason that 2023 Ashes), constructing as much as this. Bazball, so far as I am involved, and I do know Brendon moderately effectively, was solely designed for this one collection. Neglect about the whole lot that is occurred over the previous two years, it was all about having a gaggle collectively and a mode of play that may get up and win Check matches in Australia. They’ve solely accomplished it 4 instances prior to now. 25 years, and they will have to do it at the very least 3 times this summer season, so I can not wait to see how they play,” Ponting mentioned.
The 2023 Ashes began with an announcement of England’s intent. Australia positioned a deep backward level for the opening ball at Edgbaston, but Zak Crawley hit it by means of cowl for 4. Ponting anticipates England will proceed this aggressive strategy all through the summer season and likewise famous that this predictability creates alternatives for Australia.
“I don’t assume they may change. I’ve seen sufficient of them over the previous two years to know that they’re going to play the identical means. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley are going to play the identical means that they’ve all the time performed. If they will, England win the toss and bowl, and again themselves to get extra runs within the fourth innings than the opposition get within the first innings. That’s not going to alter,” he mentioned.
“And while you discuss Bazball and the type of play as a lot as they’ve over the previous couple of years, you can not out of the blue simply not do it. It’s important to proceed to do it. That’s one space Australia can goal. Figuring out that they’ve to come back ultra-aggressive, you’ll be able to set totally different fields and use totally different ways to make them and their egos come to you throughout a Check match,” he added.
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