Ashes 2017: England are yet to impress Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting predicts a 4-0 Ashes victory for Australia.

England were not impressive so far in the Ashes | Getty Images

Former Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting is not pleased with the current form of the Joe Root led England Cricket Team in the ongoing Ashes series in Australia, saying the defending champions haven't made a great impact so far in the series against the hosts that impress him.

England already faced 10 wickets loss in the Ashes opener Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, and now they are struggling in the second Test- Day/Night Test at the Adelaide Oval, as Australia declared their innings on 442/8, while the tourists reached on 27 on the Day 3 of the second Test.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Ricky Ponting said, “England haven’t done anything to impress me yet. Everyone talked about how even the first Test was but it actually wasn’t. Australia win by 10 wickets having lost the toss and the wicket was nowhere near like a Brisbane pitch. They got an England pitch for the first three days and they survived and held on because of the conditions.”

Read More: Adelaide Test could be decided on day 3, says Warne and Pietersen

He further added, “But as soon as they hardened up and got quicker England were found wanting and found wanting badly. The same thing here. They won the toss, they got the conditions that they wanted; a grassy pitch, overhead conditions.”

Commenting on England pace duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad, Ponting said, “Stuart Broad and (James) Anderson, as good as they’ve been, they lacked that impact on the game. They continue to bowl well but they just haven’t got the impact to knock over the best players right now and the guys behind them – (Chris) Woakes, (Jake) Ball up there in Brisbane, (Craig) Overton here – have been steady but not good enough.”

Read More: Shaun Marsh replies his critics with unbeaten Ashes century

He also predicts a 4-0 victory in favor of Australia. Ponting concluded by saying, ”I said before the series 4-0 but I also said Adelaide was (England’s) best chance of winning a game and if they’re going to do that from here they’re going to have to play some pretty good cricket.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 04 Dec, 2017

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