Ashes 2023: The much-anticipated Ashes 2023 kicked off at Edgbaston on June 16, with England and Australia squaring off in the first Test. England captain, Ben Stokes, opted to bat first, a decision that soon brought an exciting twist to the game. Opening the innings, Zak Crawley sent the first ball of the match to the boundary, offering Australia a taste of England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ style of play.
This early onslaught from England spurred an immediate reaction from the Australian captain, Pat Cummins. Aiming to curtail England’s fast start, Cummins restructured the field, moving one player from the slip cordon to the boundary. By the third over, Australia maintained only two slips, with three players guarding the boundary.
Cummins’ defensive manoeuvre, however, was met with disapproval from former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting. Offering commentary for Sky Sports Cricket, Ponting criticized the early defensive tactic, expressing his disapproval of the deep backward point position.
Ponting voiced his concerns stating, “They’ve switched to a defensive mode straight away. Frankly, I’m not in favour of that deep backward point as an initial choice.” He observed that this fielding configuration allowed the batsmen to score off Cummins’ best deliveries too easily.
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Ponting expressed surprise at Australia’s approach, as well as the form of Mitchell Starc. “I must admit I was a bit taken aback. Mitchell Starc wasn’t at his best last week, that’s undeniable. He, along with Pat Cummins, had a gap of three months from games leading into this match and looked a little off rhythm,” Ponting commented.
In the face of England’s assertive start, the Australian response triggered a debate over the right tactical approach. Ponting’s critique of Cummins’ defensive fielding placements offered a contrasting perspective. This commentary pointed to an underlying concern about the form and rhythm of key Australian players like Starc and Cummins.
In summary, the commencement of Ashes 2023 saw England exhibiting a bold and aggressive style of play. While this thrilled the audience, Australia’s defensive response drew criticism, particularly from Ricky Ponting. As the Test progresses, fans and pundits alike will watch keenly to see how both teams adjust their strategies and tactics, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this storied cricket rivalry.
