Ricky Ponting’s a former Australian captain, observed that England had a chance to win the first two Ashes 2023 Test matches but blew it. He praised England, though, for changing their strategy as the series went on.
Australia won the crucial moments in two close matches that England lost at Edgbaston and Lord’s. When chasing 282 in the first Test, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon scored an unbroken 55 to help their team overcome the deficit.
They defeated Ben Stokes’ 155 in the fourth innings of the second Test, winning by 43 runs.
Ricky Ponting said in a Sky Sports interview that despite dropping the first two Test matches, England exuded confidence.
“In the first two Test matches, England had opportunity and felt their approach could handle Australia’s. Every time we spoke to the players, you could hear the confidence flowing through Stokes, [Brendon] McCullum, and all the other guys, Ponting added.”
The 48-year-old praised McCullum for keeping things straightforward and Stokes and Co. for sticking to what they know best, adding:
“They were steadfast in their choices of activities and playing styles. I believe they have gained knowledge along the road. All it was was a minor adjustment to the game’s awareness.”
“Based on the guys they have, I don’t believe McCullum is asking them to be anything other than who they are. “Go out and trust your way,” he is saying.”
England prevented Australia from winning their first series on English soil since 2001 despite being behind 0-2 in the match. They defeated Pat Cummins and company at Headingley and the Oval to tie the series at two games each, and the fourth Test in Manchester was drawn due to inclement weather.
Ricky Ponting’s on England’s youthful batters: “I am looking forward to seeing them in the future”
Ricky Ponting’s said that players like Zak Crawley, 25, and Harry Brook, 24, will continue to improve. He stated:
“I think this is simply the tip of the iceberg. It’s a youthful side, and several of the players, including Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, and Zak Crawley, haven’t played a lot of Test cricket. England will improve and make changes as it goes. Future encounters with them are something I am anticipating.
Usman Khawaja (496 runs), who also played in the 2023 Ashes series, scored more runs than Crawley (480). Brook, on the other hand, scored 363 runs.
Read Also:- Ashes 2023 Series, The ICC World’s Test Championship Points Table