England’s ‘Bazball’ approach is refreshing: Ricky Ponting

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting believes that the inclusion of Bazball in the English game was intended explicitly for the upcoming Ashes series. The 48-year-old is thrilled for the five-match series to begin at Edgbaston and has called England’s new approach to Test cricket under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum “refreshing.”

Since the duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum has taken charge of the Test team and committed to playing an unconventional brand of ultra-aggressive cricket, England’s game has experienced a stunning transformation.

Ponting, who has won the coveted trophy five times while also losing three times believes that the Australian attack will have to be prepared for the Bazball approach.

“I think the reason that they’ve played this way for the last couple of years is with this series in mind. I think they’re trying to find a brand of cricket that they can play that’s going to win an Ashes series. It’s been refreshing, to be honest, to see the win at all cost type of mentality.”

“I’m not saying they’re not caring, but they’re not putting that ahead of trying to win a game. I don’t think it’s impossible (that it could work), I think they’ll definitely try it, they’ve made that pretty clear. The Australian attack will have to be ready for it, I’ve got a few thoughts on what I’d be doing if I was an Australian fast bowler or if I was talking to the Australian fast bowler about how they should be looking to bowl to the England batsman,” Ponting told ICC.

Let’s see how England go against the Aussie batters: Ponting

As Australia gain a stronghold over the ongoing World Test Championship final against India, Ponting suggested that the English seamers would love to have lively tracks. Ponting believes that Stokes’ demand for flat and fast pitches to suit his batters could backfire on his bowlers with the Aussies ready to cash in with the willow.

“I’m really intrigued to see what sort of conditions England want to play that style of cricket. If they have the flatter wickets with smaller boundaries it might just backfire on the bowling group, so let’s wait and see. Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson are going to want pitches that offer them something. If they don’t have those wickets for their bowling attack, let’s see how they go against the Aussie batters,” he added further.