Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has predicted a huge change in England’s playing XI for the Headingley Test ranging from July 6. The hosts England are 0-2 down in the five-match Ashes collection in the intervening time and must win the third Test to have any probability of regaining the Ashes. England have already introduced the squad for the third Test whereas leaving out Matthew Potts and Rehan Ahmed and have not made any main adjustments.
But Ponting reckons James Anderson ought to make manner after not his greatest to date in this collection. In two Test matches, he has solely picked 3 wickets after sending down a large 77 overs. Perhaps, the circumstances have been good for him on the cloudy opening morning at Lord’s when Ben Stokes received the toss and invited Australia to bat first. But the veteran was not at his greatest in any respect spraying round in line and size.
“He (Anderson) looked like the most disappointing bowler for England so far. What you expect from James Anderson is when he’s got that new ball in his hand, he’s taking early wickets, he’s moving the ball, and he’s not going for any runs. We haven’t seen that in the series so far. And that’s not a direct criticism of James Anderson. He’s been one of the all time greats of the game, his longevity and his wicket-taking ability, but if I was looking at the bowlers I saw last week, I think he’s the one that’s looked to have the least amount of penetration,” Ponting mentioned on The ICC Review.
Meanwhile, England have the tempo of Mark Wood ready in the wings whereas additionally they have the choice to recall Moeen Ali into the playing XI. However, the off-spinner’s finger harm standing will not be identified but. Ponting additionally feels that Josh Tongue deserves to remain in the playing XI for the type of impression he made at Lord’s.
Tongue, playing solely in his second Test, picked 5 wickets total together with that of Steve Smith and David Warner. “From what I saw last week, I thought he (Tongue) was the standard of their fast bowlers,” Ponting added.
