England's Prospects in the Ashes Boosted by Key Element, According to Ricky Ponting
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that England's top-order performance will significantly impact their prospects in this year's Ashes. According to Ponting, England's success in the series will largely depend on their performance at the top of the order.
The pitches prepared for the 2021-22 Ashes series in Australia are expected to be fast and bouncy, favoring the Australian pace attack. This contrasts with the generally flatter wickets England faced at home, which support their aggressive style better. The expectation for the Ashes in Australia is that pitches will continue to aid fast bowlers such as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
England may prefer flatter pitches for their batting, but might need pitches with some assistance for their bowling in Australia. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley are currently leading England's batting, and the team is hoping to have Jofra Archer and Mark Wood fit for the five-match series in Australia. Archer's pace can lift England's entire line-up, as he has performed well against Australia in the past.
Ponting hopes England gets a strong fast bowling attack for the series. He notes that England has demonstrated an understanding of Australian conditions, having been there recently. However, he is unsure about the type of pitches England will face in the Ashes.
England's captain, Joe Root, has adjusted his game and returned to playing normally, according to Ponting. Ollie Pope is naturally aggressive and scores quickly, while Stokes has the lowest strike rate among England's batters. Ponting emphasizes that England's ability to adapt their Bazball approach and avoid being one-dimensional is crucial. He also notes that the fielding side will need to adapt quickly in Australia.
The opening Ashes Test for England begins on November 21 in Perth. The series will be England's next Test series after their 2-2 series draw against India. Gus Atkinson is expected to bowl well in Australia, and Ponting states that England's natural aggressive batting style will be key in the series. However, he believes that England's top-order's ability to bat well at the start will set things up for a good chance in the series.
In summary, the upcoming Ashes series promises to be a tactical battle between England's aggressive batting style and Australia's pace attack. The fielding side will need to adapt quickly to the conditions, and England's top-order performance will be crucial in setting the tone for the series. The first Test begins on November 21 in Perth, and the series is sure to be an exciting spectacle for cricket fans around the world.
England may struggle to find suitable pitches for their bowling in Australia, but their natural aggressive batting style might counterbalance this. The performance of England's top-order in the upcoming Ashes series will be pivotal in setting the tone for the series, as their success at the start could provide a strong foundation for the rest of the team.
