Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has warned England of a whitewash in Ashes 2021 if they fail to do well in the second Test in Adelaide. Meanwhile, the second Test will be the first of two pink-ball games in the five-match Test series.
Notably, Australia registered a nine-wicket win over their arch-rivals in Brisbane, that too under four days. The Gabba wicket, which had the usual pace and bounce, helped Australian bowlers to dominate in the game after England captain Joe Root chose to bat first.
Ponting, speaking to cricket.com.au, said: “The conditions are only going to get better for Australia. Those conditions (in Brisbane) were very English like. There was more pace and bounce, but as far as their bowling is concerned, they’re probably not going to get that much movement anywhere else for the entire series.”
Ricky Ponting again said that if the pink ball doesn’t favour England as much as it did in 2017, then they will struggle to win.
He further added: “We saw them bowl really well on the last tour in Adelaide under lights where everything just fell perfectly into place – Australia had to bat for a session; the lights were on, brand new ball, clear night. We’ve also been to Adelaide at other times when the pink ball has done nothing, whether it’s a new ball or not. If they don’t win in Adelaide then there could be shades of ’06-07.”
Injury Scare for David Warner and Josh Hazlewood
On the other hand, Australia’s David Warner and Josh Hazlewood have been under injury threat. Even, the latter is trying to be fit from a rib injury and might miss playing in Adelaide as well. And, Ponting feels in-form pacer Jhye Richardson could play ahead of Michael Neser for Adelaide.
“Richardson was obviously very close to playing this Test instead of Starc. He’s in great form. When the ball’s not swinging and seaming, I’d have him ahead of Neser as far as an all-round bowling package is concerned. Neser obviously thrives in swinging, seaming conditions that he gets at the Gabba – and might get at some stage in Adelaide – but I still think Richardson gets the nod (if required),” Ricky Ponting concluded.
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