Ashes: Ricky Ponting told Pat Cummins the old-fashioned captain, said this about Ben Stokes
Cummins, who was named Test skipper following Tim Paine’s sudden resignation ahead of the 2021 Ashes, has had a good run as captain.
Legendary cricketer Ricky Ponting believes Australian skipper Pat Cummins is like the old-fashioned Test captain who ‘lets the plans execute’ while England skipper Ben Stokes tries to do something with every ball. In comparison, the decisions made by the two new captains in the current Ashes series have been hotly debated. Stokes was criticized by the media and experts for declaring the first innings early in the First Test, while Cummins was criticized for making limited use of emerging spinner Todd Murphy during the defeat at Headingley.
Ponting told ‘The ICC Review’, ‘I think this series is one of the most important series in terms of strategies as far as I can remember. This is due to the two different styles of play. Possibly even two different styles of leadership. Pat Cummins is like the old fashioned Test captain where he sets the field and lets the plan execute and he sticks with it for a long time. Stokes is a bit on the contrary.
Australia’s performance under the captaincy of Cummins
Ponting said, “He tries to do something or the other with every ball and so sometimes the plan does not get executed.” The performance as captain has been good. Under Cummins, Australia won the previous Ashes series 4–0, defeating Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa. Australia played out a 1-1 draw with Sri Lanka on their soil last year.
I’m not going to question Pat at all
The team lost the only series against India in the same year but then won the title by defeating the Rohit Sharma-led team in the final of the World Test Championship. Ponting said, “Look, it hasn’t been a long time since Pat has been doing this job (captaincy). Don’t forget he’s been doing this for two years. I am sure he is learning.’ Australia is leading 2-1 in the current series. The fourth Test starts in Manchester from Wednesday. Ponting said, “I am not going to question Pat at all. Australia are ahead 2-1 which means they are doing their job well.
