Veteran cricketer Ricky Ponting believes that Australian skipper Pat Cummins is like the Test captains of the olden days. who make plans come to fruition, While England captain Ben Stokes tries to do something on each ball. In comparison, there has been much debate about the decisions made by the two new captains in the current Ashes Test series. Stokes was criticized by the media and pundits for declaring the first innings early in the First Test, while Cummins was criticized for his limited use of emerging spinner Todd Murphy in the Headingley Test.
Ponting stated to The ICC Review, “I believe this is one of the most important series in terms of strategy that I can recall.” This is due to the two different styles of the game. Possibly even two different styles of leadership. Pat Commons is like the Test captain of the olden days, where he sets the field and lets the plan execute and he sticks with it for a long time. Stokes is a bit of the opposite who does something or the other with every ball and so sometimes the plan doesn’t execute.”
Performance of the Australian team under the captaincy of Cummins
Pat Cummins, who was named Test captain following Team Paine’s sudden resignation ahead of the 2021 Ashes, has had a fine run as skipper. Australia won the previous Ashes series 4–0 under Cummins’ guidance, defeating Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa. Australia played out a 1-1 draw on Sri Lanka’s soil last year. Under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, the Australian team first reached the final of the World Test Championship 2021-23 where they defeated India and won the World Test Championship.
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Ricky Ponting: I’m not going to question Pat Cummins at all
The team lost the only series against India in the same year but then went on to win the World Test Championship by defeating the Rohit Sharma-led team in the final. “Look, it hasn’t been long since Pat did this captaincy job,” Ponting stated. Don’t forget he’s been doing this for two years. I am sure he is learning.” The Australian team is leading 2-1 in the current Ashes series. The fourth Test begins on Wednesday 19 July in Manchester. Ponting said, “I am not going to question Pat Cummins at all.
Australia are leading 2-1 which means they are doing their job well.”
