Ashes 2023: "I'd Be Worried About How They're Going To Get 20 Australian Wickets," Ricky Ponting Feels English Bowlers Will Struggle On Flat Wickets

Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting opens up about England’s tactics of falt wickets for the upcoming Ashes 2023. He believes that English bowlers will struggle to take 20 wickets on flat decks as Australia’s bowling has fewer holes in it. 

It’s time for the greatest rivalry in the world of cricket as Ashes 2023 is just one sleep away. The much-anticipated seires will begin from 16th June in Edgbaston followed by the Lord’s Test on 28th June. The third game will be played on July 6th in Leeds whereas the last two games are slated to take place on July 19th and July 27th at Manchester and the Oval respectively. 

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The battle between the English batters and Australian bowlers will be the main highlight of the Ashes as the Ben Stokes-led side with their aggressive approach has tormented many World class bowling lineups. Whereas on the other hand, the bowling lineup of Australia is arguably the best currently. 

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Ricky Ponting feels that England’s tactics of flat decks might backfire as he’s worried about how they will take 20 Australian wickets. He pointed out that with no Jofra Archer and Jack Leach, he believes that James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson won’t make much impact. Speaking to the Times, he said: 

“If England want to play the style that they’ve been playing, I actually think they probably need to have some flattish-type wickets. I’ve heard that they want flat wickets, I’ve heard they want the boundaries brought in. But I think if they do have these flatter wickets, I’d be worried about how they’re going to get 20 Australian wickets a game. 

“With Jofra Archer not being there, without their number one spinner (Leach) being there, if they’re flat, will Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson be able to have a huge impact on the series? The records of some of our top-order batters are not as good here in the UK, but the bowling numbers are all pretty good.” 

Ashes 2023: “Australia’s bowling probably right now has less holes,” says Ricky Ponting 

Ricky Ponting further went on to say that Australia’s bowling will be the difference between the two sides as they have fewer holes as compared to batting.  He elaborated: 

“I think England are going to bat really well. I think they’re going to struggle with the ball, and I think if you look at Australia’s attack, Australia’s bowling probably right now has less holes in it than what the batting has.” 

“Anticipation and build-up-wise, this is as big a test series as I can remember. I’ve still got growing concerns about the test game and probably right now more than ever.” 

England hasn’t lost the Ashes series at home since 2001. They would be eager to maintain the record. So far in the 72 Ashes series, Australia has won 34 whereas England has come out victorious on 32 occasions.

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