Ashes 2021-22: Ben Stokes' 'ultra-defensive' approach not helping England, feels Ricky Ponting

It was the same old story for England as they continued their horrendous run in Ashes 2021-22. Trailing 2-0 behind the five-match series, the Three Lions are standing in a must-win game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, they didn’t get the required start. Batting first in the Boxing Day clash, the Three Lions were bundled out for a paltry 185 as the visiting team batters couldn’t showcase application in the challenging track.

While Joe Root top-scored for England with a 50, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow failed to play an impact knock after getting starts. Speaking of Stokes, the left-handed batter slammed 25 off just 60 deliveries. While many reckoned the southpaw tried to showcase resistance, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting isn’t happy with Stokes’ approach.

Ben Stokes hasn’t made his presence felt

Notably, Stokes has never finished a Test series with a lower strike-rate than his mark of 29.50 in Ashes 2021-22. Ponting is disappointed by the same. “He’s looked ultra-defensive. He hasn’t looked like the big, physically aggressive presence at the crease that opposition teams have feared to bowl to in other series,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

“You can understand why – the batting conditions haven’t been easy in any game and he’s coming up against some good bowlers. But I think if you just sit back and wait, and don’t put pressure on great bowlers, they’re going to get you out,” he added.

Further explaining why Stokes’ lack of intent is not helping England, Ponting cited the example of his playing days. “We always used to say in teams that I played in that the better the bowler, the more risks you had to take as a batter, because you simply don’t get bad balls. You have got to find a way to jump on anything that’s a little bit bad, rotate the strike as much as you can,” he added.

Meanwhile, England now need to play out of their skin to bounce back in the contest. Australia, in response to England’s 185, finished Day 1 at 61/1, reducing the deficit to 124 runs. Hence, England need to restrict the Aussies to a mediocre total to stay in the contest.