Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting applauded Joe Root for his stunning batting show in the Ashes series opener in Edgbaston. The veteran scored an unbeaten 118 in the first innings. He then scored 46 in the second innings despite the hosts losing narrowly by two wickets as well. Moreover, his exploits helped him bbecome the top of the ICC rankings for batters in Tests.
Speaking on the latest episode of the ICC review show, Ricky Ponting said: “I mean, the innings he played at Edgbaston was a sensational knock, full of class. He’s added some shots to his repertoire, which I didn’t think he would be able to do. Reverse sweeping Pat Cummins’ first ball of a day in a Test match on the start of day four was something I didn’t think I’d see.”
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“He’s in total control of his game now. He’s made over 11,000 runs – there’s not many players in the history of the game that have done that. So, by the time he’s finished, I’m sure he’ll be recognised as one of the greats,” further added Ponting.
However, Joe Root has been in sublime form in the red-ball format since 2021, scoring over 3,000 runs which came at an average of 58.70. The former England captain has also smashed 13 centuries in that stretch and led the run-scoring charts for the 2021-23 WTC cycle as well. Meanwhile, Ricky Ponting also said that Root has started realizing his full potential in only the last two years as well. He has so far scored 11,000 Test runs at an average of 50.76.
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“I don’t think he’s been underrated because I don’t think he’s actually probably fulfilled his full potential until the last two years. He’s never scored a hundred in Australia, but his last two years I think he’s made eight or nine hundreds, which has elevated him from being a very, very good player to one of the great players.I think now people are starting to understand just how good Joe Root is,” Ricky Ponting concluded.
