Ponting predicts Ashes stroll for Australia

Ponting savaged England's batting order and said the absence of all-rounder Ben Stokes, along with injuries to their fast bowling stocks, would play into Australia's hands.

Ponting predicts Ashes stroll for Australia

(Reuters)

His comments come after fierce criticism of the Australia batting line-up from former England greats Ian Botham and Graeme Swann.

"I've been a bit more outward than normal about this one because I honestly think that Australia will win really easily," Ponting, who captained Australia in 77 tests, told Cricket Australia's website.

"If you look through the current England team, they're searching for an opener, they're searching for a number three, Stokes might not be there, a couple of their quicks have gone down.

"I just think right now England have got more gaps and more cause for concern in not only in their 11 but in their entire squad, than what Australia have."

England seamer Jake Ball is likely to miss the tourists' final warmup ahead of the first Ashes test, beginning on Nov. 23 in Brisbane, after suffering an ankle ligament strain in the tour match at Adelaide Oval.

Their pace bowling stocks took a hit earlier this week when Steven Finn was ruled out of the tour with a knee injury and replaced by Tom Curran.

Ponting said England fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad were on a "steady decline" but maintaining a "reasonably high" level of performance, while Australia boasted a flourishing bowling line-up. The 42-year-old said England's only chance of winning a match was the second test in Adelaide.

England won the last Ashes 3-2 on home soil but were humiliated 5-0 the last time they came to Australia for the series in 2013/14.

(Reporting by Aditi Prakash in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world