Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has mounted a robust defence of present skipper Pat Cummins and says extra strain ought to be on Ben Stokes’ management forward of the fifth Test.
Ponting says Cummins will study from the brutal second day demolition by the hands of England’s batters in Manchester and can’t be anticipated to “have the exact right answer” each time whereas captain.
His feedback got here after fellow Ashes nice Glenn McGrath mentioned Cummins appeared “tired and jaded” in the course of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, whereas former Victorian captain Darren Berry mentioned the quick bowler would resign as captain after the collection.
Ponting mentioned Australia’s 2-1 collection lead regardless of their struggles combating England’s explosive batting line-up meant English captain Stokes ought to be underneath extra strain than Cummins.
“I think Pat’s done a terrific job … for a couple of hours on day 2, things looked like they were getting out of control, but the captain can’t be expected to have the exact right answer 100 per cent of the time,” Ponting informed the ICC Review podcast.
“I don’t think it’s got the better of Pat – in fact, for Australia to be 2-1 up where they are right now you’d have to say that Pat’s done a terrific job.
“Everyone’s been talking about how England have outplayed Australia … if that’s the case, maybe there’s some questions to be asked about Ben Stokes’ captaincy then.
“If the fact is they’ve outplayed Australia and are still trailing in the series, I don’t think there should be too many questions about Pat, that’s for sure.”
Ponting mentioned he “felt for” Cummins throughout England’s blistering first innings 592 at Old Trafford, admitting he didn’t assume the Australians have been properly ready to cope with their aggression.
“I felt for him a little bit there because England were playing so well, they really had not much to lose, and Pat being a bowling captain had probably been put under more pressure than he’s ever been put under in his captaincy career,” he mentioned.
“They’ll all learn something about that and hopefully they’ll be better prepared for the last Test match at The Oval.”
Ponting mentioned a drier forecast in London for the fifth Test, beginning on Thursday, meant off-spinner Todd Murphy would possible return to the facet.
Cameron Green was within the firing line ought to all Australia’s tempo bowlers be match to play, Ponting mentioned.
“The decision will come down to Murphy and Green again I think … Mitch Marsh’s form is irresistible, you can’t leave him out,” he mentioned.
“He’s not put a foot wrong yet with the bat, even his second innings in Manchester – I thought the maturity he showed there and the willingness to be able to change his game a fraction for what the team needed says a lot about him as a cricketer.”
Ponting mentioned he anticipated the selectors to again David Warner to open as soon as once more after a irritating match with promising begins of 32 and 28.
Source: www.news.com.au
