Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said England’s ‘Bazball’ approach left the Australians a befuddled group during the Ashes, which saw the Englishmen making a remarkable comeback from 0-2 down.
Though the Aussies retained the Ashes Urn in the 2-2 drawn series, Ponting said the home side gave them a tough ride. Australia are yet to win a Test series in England since 2001.
Talking to SEN Radio, Ponting said: “The two contrasting styles of play were great to sit back and watch. There was a lot of talk about Bazball and how England would approach it, and would that style stand up against the quality of the Australian attack.
“It probably had some of the Australian players, coaches and the captain at different times scratching their heads as to how they were going to combat it.”
Ponting was all praise for the quality of cricket played during the Ashes.
“I think the 2-2 result, albeit probably slightly biased with a bit of controversy in that last Test with the ball changed, the way that it was, that gifted England some conditions they probably shouldn’t have got.
“I think the level of cricket played across the series, the 2-2 result was probably fair,” he added.
He lauded Test skipper Pat Cummins for playing six successive Tests, including the victorious ICC World Test Championship final against India at The Oval.
However, Ponting said it could be time for the team to introduce some new faces in the bowling attack over the next 12 months. He said Australia have enough depth in their fast bowling unit.
Aus trio to miss SA tour
Sydney: Australia’s Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc are expected to recover from their injuries and be fit for the ODI series in India ahead of the 50-over World Cup starting in October.
The duo will miss the limited-overs tour of South Africa, besides captain Pat Cummins, who is also recuperating from a wrist fracture. All three will return for the India series beginning September 22.
Smith is nursing a tendon injury on his left wrist, which has sidelined him for four weeks, according to Cricket Australia, while pacer Starc suffered “groin soreness” upon his return from the Ashes, where he also suffered a shoulder injury.
Australia have included left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, who is a member of the T20I side, in their ODI squad. Mitchell Marsh, named T20I captain for the South Africa series, will lead in the ODIs in Cummins’ absence as well.
Australia play three T20Is in South Africa from August 30 to September 3, followed by five ODIs from September 7.
