Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes there will be more questions hanging in the English dressing room after their two-wicket loss in the opening Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Tuesday. England continued with their aggressive approach whereas Australia stuck to their guns of playing more orthodox style in the first Test.
In the end, it was Australia who had the final laugh to take a 1-0 lead in the series. In fact, England captain Ben Stokes revealed his team will continue to play in a similar fashion and back themselves despite loss in the opening game.
Stokes had also decided to declare at 393-8 in the first innings with Joe Root being unbeaten on 118 runs and Ollie Robinson batting on 17. However, Stokes had no regrets about taking that bold decision in hindsight.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Ricky Ponting said, “I think England have got the most questions to answer. Their style of play: Is it going to hold up in an Ashes series? By no means am I saying that England’s method is wrong, I have loved watching them play, but it just goes to show there is more than one way to skin a cat. This is a long and hard game. Australia’s method has stood up and it has worked.”
On the other hand, former England skipper Nasser Hussain reckons the home team doesn’t need Bazball to beat Australia. Hussain wants England to return to the orthodox way of playing Test matches but also admitted that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum will continue to play in a similar fashion.
“You can’t hide behind that [wanting to entertain], and I can almost read Ricky Ponting’s mind because he’s a winner. England lost [the final Test] in New Zealand as well, if you remember. Remember, we’ve beaten Australia in England since 2001 playing the old-fashioned way – we didn’t need ‘Bazball’ to beat Australia. I want this series to be played the same way and I know Ben and Brendon will play the same way, which adds even more to next week.”
Furthermore, former England swashbuckling batter Kevin Pietersen added English fans want their team to win irrespective of the playing method as results count in the Ashes.
“I don’t think we can pick this team apart too much. The declaration is of course something which will be spoken about. English fans want a win. Of course, they want to be entertained and the atmosphere was great. The game was tight and was a nail-biter, but the England fans want them to win. You can talk as much as you like, but in an Ashes series it’s about results.”
The second Ashes Test will be played at Lord’s, from June 28 onwards.
