Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting praises Bazball after watching England’s recent performances against India. He thinks Australia will have its hands full when the Ashes return in 2025.
England started playing this attacking style of cricket about two years ago. Back then, most people thought it was just wild hitting without much planning.
But something changed during England’s series with India. The team drew 2-2, which showed they can handle pressure situations much better now.
England’s Bazball Has Grown Up
Ricky Ponting praises Bazball because England players have learned important lessons. They still attack boldly, but they pick their moments more carefully these days.
“When Bazball first came in, it was all-out attack. Now they’ve fine-tuned it. They still play positive cricket, but they’ve learned when to pull back and adapt to conditions,” Ponting said.
Ben Stokes leads the team while Joe Root anchors the batting lineup. These experienced players help their teammates understand when to take risks and when to play it safe.
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The English approach used to be simple – hit every ball hard. Now they study pitch conditions and weather before making big shots.
What Ponting Noticed About the Changes
During the India series, Ponting watched how England handled difficult bowling spells. Instead of panicking, they stayed calm and waited for better opportunities.
Ricky Ponting praises Bazball evolution because the team shows real maturity now. English batsmen don’t just swing wildly anymore when bowlers create pressure.
The players have developed better communication on the field, too. They talk more between overs and help each other make smart choices.
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This improved version of Bazball creates problems for bowling teams. Opponents cannot predict what England will do next, which makes planning harder.
“I’m as Aussie as anyone, and I love watching the way they play. The Aussies embraced it and learnt about it the last time they were here. They’ll have an understanding now of what is a slightly more refined version of what England started a few years ago,” Ponting said.
Australia Needs Fresh Plans for 2025
When Australia and England meet in 2025, it won’t be the same story as before. This England team has figured out how to use Bazball without losing their wickets cheaply.
“I think they can, and they will try. It’s the way they naturally play, and it’s the way the coaches and captain want them to play. It’s the way they need to play; it just sets up everything for England, putting immediate pressure back on the bowlers.”
“You have to adapt quickly. They probably hold the key in Australia. If they can bat well at the top and set things up, that will give them a good chance in the series,” he added.
Ponting knows his former team must work harder to stop England’s evolved game plan. The old strategies might not work against this smarter version of Bazball.
Australian cricket officials are already discussing new bowling tactics for the upcoming series. They realize that England’s improved approach will test their players in ways they haven’t experienced recently.
