'I don't think it's the only way to play T20 cricket'- Ricky Ponting on England's ultra-aggressive brand of cricket

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has recently come up with an argument against England's aggressive style of cricket, stating that it wasn't the only way to play T20 cricket. The Aussie is currently serving as the batting coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals (DC), a role that he has been in since 2018. 

The former Australian cricket coach and commentator said that in an ideal situation, if a team played like England, it would not lose many games. However, he went on to say that England hadn't won every game they had played or established world records in terms of scoring. He also spoke about the art of coaching, adding that one must identify a style of play that worked for a set of players. 

"I don't think it's the only way to play T20 cricket. In an ideal world, if you can play that way well and successfully then you are not going to lose too many games. It's not that England have won every game they have played and set world records in terms of the scores they have put up," Ponting said in an interview with Times of India.

"You have to find a style of play that suits a group of players. That's what the art of coaching is. Whatever group of players that you have got, you have to maximize their talent. You can do that with their skills or you could do that with their attitude," he added.

Ponting was then asked how much influence culture exerted in England playing the type of cricket that they are known for. To that, he responded that it was an attitude thing and coaches must empower players to play that way in good and bad times, as England had done. He also added that since Brendon McCullum was named England's Test coach, he had zeroed in on the set of players he wanted.

"It's an attitude thing. You have to empower your players to play that way through good and bad times. If you look at England, they have done exactly that. Brendon McCullum, since he became the Test coach, said this is the group of players he wants and will back them to play a certain way. He doesn't care if they get out early," the 48-year-old said.

Australia had played some aggressive cricket, but it was not that premeditated: Ponting

He was also asked about Australia's aggressive style in playing cricket, particularly in Tests. He stated that they had played some aggressive cricket, but it was not planned. He went on to say that Australia had an aggressive mindset and wanted to score runs quickly, whereas England might be scoring faster, but it appeared to be a more premeditated approach.

"Yes, a little bit. But it wasn't that premeditated. We had an aggressive mindset and wanted to score runs quickly. England may be scoring quicker but it seems it is a more premeditated approach to the game than what we had," Ponting said.