Ricky Ponting helps England by leaking Australia’s Ashes line-up

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has shared his thoughts on who should open the batting for Australia in the upcoming Ashes series against England. Despite Australia whitewashing the West Indies in the recent Test series, Ricky Ponting was critical of their batting, which was not that impressive.

Australian bowlers were outstanding throughout the three-match Test series, but their batting lineup struggled to impress in the Caribbean Islands. The Kangaroos have only crossed 300 once in the Test series, and most of the runs came from the lower order.

Ricky Ponting expresses concern about Australia's batting despite the West Indies' whitewash

On the other hand, it was the powerful bowling attack led by Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland that tore through the West Indies, even bowling them out for just 27 runs in the second innings of the third Test that was played with the pink ball at Sabina Park.

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Meanwhile, Ricky Ponting picked his top three batters to face England in the opening Test that will be Australia’s beginning of the new ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. However, the former Australian captain believes that Sam Konstas deserves his chance in the Ashes 2025.

Sharing his thoughts on Australia’s top order for the Ashes, Ponting said that Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, and Cameron Green are the top names set to feature in the playing XI.

Ricky Ponting locks in Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, and Cameron Green as Australia’s top order for Ashes

Ricky Ponting said on The ICC Review: “The (batters) that they've been talking about the last couple of weeks in particular have been (Sam) Konstas and (Usman) Khawaja, and then there was some talk about Cameron Green, if he was a long-term No. 3 or not.

The legendary cricketer praised Green’s fighting knock in the second innings against the West Indies, saying it may have eased doubts about his spot at No. 3. He believes Australia will stick with their current top order for the Ashes and hopes they start the series strong.

Ponting added, “(Green’s) second innings in the West Indies (in the last Test) might have just put some of that to bed. As tough as those conditions were to bat for as long as he did in trying conditions, he might have silenced a few of those critics.

I think with where they're at, I think the Ashes line-up is going to be like it is right now. I think that's what they're going to be starting with, and you keep your fingers crossed and hope that those guys can get the job done at the start.”

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Ricky Ponting says time running out for new Ashes hopefuls

Meanwhile, Ponting believes that there’s still uncertainty around Australia’s batting line-up for the Ashes, but with only a few matches (an Australia A tour and four Sheffield Shield games) left before the biggest Test series against England, chances are limited for new players to break in.

The legendary batter has pointed out that Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw have performed well recently, but it is unlikely many fresh names will be considered for the Ashes.

Ponting also mentioned Jason Sangha as a talented option, but time is running out for him for the selection. Ponting feels selectors will likely stick with familiar faces unless current players struggle early in the Ashes 2025.