Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has emphasized that England’s success in the upcoming Ashes series will largely depend on the performance of their top-order batsmen. After recently drawing a series 2-2 against India, England is set to start their Ashes campaign on November 21 in Perth.
Ponting expressed his admiration for England’s aggressive style of play, saying, “I’m as Aussie as anyone, and I love watching the way they play. The Aussies embraced it and learned from it the last time they were here. They now have a clearer understanding of the more refined version of what England started a few years ago,” as reported by The Times on Saturday.
He believes that England will strive to bat aggressively in Australia, as it aligns with their natural playing style and the desires of their coaching staff. “This approach creates immediate pressure on the bowlers, which is essential for England’s strategy,” he noted.
Ponting pointed out that for England to succeed, they must adapt quickly during play. “If their top-order batsmen set a solid foundation, it could significantly improve their chances throughout the series,” he added.
The former captain also highlighted England’s ability to evolve their ultra-attacking “Bazball” approach, indicating that they have become less one-dimensional over time. He remarked, “Initially, Joe Root appeared to push his game too far. Now, he has reverted to a more conventional style.”
Regarding individual performances, he mentioned that Ollie Pope has remained aggressively inclined and scores quickly. In contrast, he noted that Ben Stokes has the lowest strike rate among the current players, while Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley have excelled. “This refinement was necessary when facing the best teams,” he stated.
Ponting raised questions about the type of pitches that will be prepared for the Ashes series, suggesting that pitch preparation is typically beyond the players’ influence. “I don’t believe the Aussies will be advising groundsmen on this. My experience has shown that we always expected them to prepare the best surface possible. It will be interesting to see what England prefers; they typically perform better on flatter pitches, yet may need something more conducive to their bowlers in Australia,” he commented.
He concluded by expressing hope for a strong fast bowling attack for England in the five-match series. “England is hoping for Jofra Archer and Mark Wood to be fit. If they are, they’ll aim to utilize both in Perth and Brisbane, and then adjust their lineup for the remaining matches,” Ponting said.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/strong-start-with-bat-at-top-will-be-key-to-englands-ashes-hopes-says-ponting
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Publish Date: 2025-08-10 15:31:00
