Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting doesn’t believe England’s statement that they are not result driven and instead want to focus more on their aggressive approach and entertain their fans. England is redefining Test cricket since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have taken over as captain and head coach of the team respectively.
The Ben Stokes-led team lost the opening Ashes Test against Australia by two wickets at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Stokes came under scrutiny after he decided to declare at 393-8 despite Joe Root batting unbeaten on 118.
In the last 12 months under Brendon McCullum, England has adopted Bazball but Ponting feels losing is always disappointing and doesn’t buy England’s theory that they are not result driven.
The two-time World Cup-winning captain also highlighted that Ashes is the biggest challenge for Ben Stokes as a skipper.
Ponting said in the latest edition of the “ICC Review”: “I’ve heard them say that before, that they’re not ‘results-driven,’ but I don’t believe that for a second. This is an Ashes series, this is the biggest challenge that Ben Stokes has had in his career as a captain. I’m not copping that.”
Ponting added that England does care about winning and winning an Ashes series is not easy.
“I mean, if they’re not results driven, they wouldn’t be disappointed at all about losing. And it seemed to me last night, and he [Stokes] said it, that all his players were in pieces at the end of that game.
“So that means to me that they do care about losing, and you should. Winning Test matches is not an easy thing to do, and winning an Ashes Test is not easy.”
The second Ashes Test will be played at Lord’s, from June 28 onwards and Ponting reckons it will be a good test for England as they will look to bounce back in the series.
“I think it’s going to be a really, really good test for England. Actually, I think it’s going to be a good test for their style of play. I think it’s going to be a good test for their leadership and their coaching.”
England will aim to get back into the series at Lord’s and they are expected to go harder at Australia.
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