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Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said that Pat Cummins-led side had a hard time tackling England's 'Bazball' approach in the Ashes 2023 which ended in 2-2. After defeats in the first two Tests, Ben Stokes’ England staged a brilliant comeback to level the series.
Despite close games, Australia were leading the series 2-0 after Lord's Test. But the hosts did not lose faith in their approach and registered wins in the third and fifth Test to prevent Australia from winning the Ashes. They were favourites to win the fourth Test as well but the rain played spoilsport at Old Trafford, Manchester.
"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,” Ponting said on SEN Radio.
"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.
Despite England's comeback, Australia were able to retain the urn. Ponting lauded Cummins for playing six consecutive Tests (including World Test Championship final). On the other hand, he feels that there will be new faces in Australia’s fast-bowling lineup in the next 12 months.
"As the series wore on, Cummo (Cummins) was probably the pick again. But, Starcy (Mitchell Starc) was outstanding. There were some questions about whether Pat could get through those six Tests and keep his intensity up."
"As it went on, it felt to me like they could have brought (Michael) Neser in at some stage in the right conditions. But I think what they did selection-wise was right," he said.
Ponting feels that there are enough pacers waiting to get their baggy green.
"We know there is enough (depth) underneath these guys, (Lance) Morris and those guys sitting back in the wings. I think we've got enough there, and at different times, I reckon through the next 12 months, we might see some different faces in our bowling line-up," the 48-year-old said.
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