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Left arm fielder Mitchell Stark was praised by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting for his impressive performance in the ongoing Ashes series. He feels like the veteran has improved with each round.
After an expensive outing in the World Series Tennis Final against India, Stark missed the First Test at Edgbaston but has looked impressive since his return in the Second Test at Lord’s. The 33-year-old picked up six wickets in Australia’s thrilling second Test victory and followed that up with seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings, at Headingley.
Ponting also dismissed concerns surrounding Pat Cummins who played all six matches of the English summer, noting that the Australian captain seemed to be holding up well at the moment.
He also felt that the break between the Third and Fourth Tests helped the 30-year-old stay fresh for the rest of the Ashes series. Speaking about the ICC review, Ponting said:
“Starc’s been fantastic. He’s just gotten better and better as the series has gone on. (Pat) Cummins has been his natural self. And with that big break, I think it will help him too. I think everyone was a little worried whether he could get through the six Test matches in seven weeks.” At first, but it seems to be going well for now.”
Starc and Cummins led the Australian bowling attack with 28 wickets at an astonishing average of 25, with two five-wicket hauls between them.
Unfortunately for the experienced pair, both of their best performances of the series were with the ball in the Third Test, where the Australians lost narrowly by three wickets.
“They’ll go back to Hazelwood if he’s fit.” – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting has insisted the Australians play Josh Hazlewood for the pivotal Fourth Test in Manchester should he be fit to take the field.
The 32-year-old, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, missed the World Series final against India before returning for the first two games of the Ashes. Despite the consideration of a reasonably good pace in both games, Hazlewood was relieved for the Third Test as part of managing the loads.
However, the former World Cup winning captain felt that with the long break between the Third and Fourth Tests, Hazlewood should return to the playing XI.
“I think they’ll go back to Hazlewood if he’s fit and I don’t know if he’s not fit, but if he’s fit I think they’ll go straight back at him, especially now with this one. They’ve got another long break, right? I think they will return to Hazelwood for Manchester.”
Recent WTA champion Scott Boland had a difficult outing in the third test, going wimpy in both rounds as the visitors tasted their first defeat in four matches of the English summer.
The 34-year-old has only taken two wickets in as many games in the series with an economy rate of nearly five runs per over. The English batsmen constantly targeted the standard stock line and bowling length to render it ineffective.
Meanwhile, Hazlewood picked up eight wickets in the first two Tests at a much better average of 32.50.
With the series in favor of the Australians 2-1, both sides will once again lock the horns after a break in the Fourth Test in Manchester, starting on July 19.
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