Cricket News

Ricky Ponting gives savage advice for Australia on how to win against England at Lords in Ashes 2023

Australia pressed the accelerator on Day 3 at Lords in the second Ashes Test. England witnessed a dramatic collapse in the first session. The Three Lions would have liked to take charge of proceedings at a dominating position at 278-4. Then England had a brain fade moment as they lost the last 6 wickets for just 47 runs. The Three Lions had no answer to Australia’s short-ball ploy. Travis Head also chipped in as he bowled a terrific spell of 7 overs and took 2-17.

When the England collapse occurred, Michael Vaughan and Geoffrey Boycott did not like the way they had folded up. In the second innings, Australia went in with a significant advantage of having picked up a 91-run lead. The Kangaroos then batted well to finish the third day at 130-2 as the play ended early due to rain. Ricky Ponting also talked about what Australia could do which would send England into the doldrums.

England are not going to be happy with a draw – Ricky Ponting on the Lords Ashes Test

“Everything we hear from England is, that they are not going to be happy with a draw. They’re going to do everything to try and win the game. Well, If I’m Australia, I’m batting as long as I can and setting the most ridiculous total. They actually said they will try to win. I will make it as unachievable as possible, let them go as hard as they can,” Ponting said on Sky Sports.

Australia went for the short ball tactic and it paid great dividends against the England middle and lower batting order.  Ben Stokes fell early to Mitchell Starc for just 17 off 58 balls with one four. Jonny Bairstow could not replicate his Edgbaston heroics as Josh Hazelwood sent him back to the pavilion for just 16 off 36 balls with two fours. Harry Brook too was dismissed in a very tame fashion. This came after he scored 50 off 68 balls with four fours.

Boycott was fuming with the way Brook had gotten out after playing himself in. Notably, Bazball was not spared by the British media after the loss at Edgbaston. It remains to be seen how England will try to claw their way back into the Lord’s Test. Australia are leading the 5-match Ashes series 1-0.