Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said England pacer Ollie Robinson will have to deliver with the ball in the rest of the Ashes 2023. Ponting gave the example of the pacer’s words about his rivals in the Ashes opener for the same as well. However, Robinson made headlines following his aggressive send-off to Usman Khawaja after his wicket in the first innings as well. And, in the press conference, he stated that Australians will have to learn to handle such moments, especially in the Ashes as well.
Ponting said on the latest edition of the “ICC Review”: “He’ll learn pretty quickly that if you’re going to talk to Australian cricketers in an Ashes series, then you want to be able to back it up with your skills. Some of the things he had to say – I mean he even brought my name into it, which I felt was a little bit unusual but for me it’s water off a duck’s back – if he is sitting back thinking about me, then no wonder he bowled like the way that he did in that game, if he’s worried about what I did 15 years ago.”
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However, Ollie Robinson played a key role in the first innings. He provided the massive breakthrough on the final day in the form of Cameron Green’s wicket as well. However, it wasn’t enough as Australia won by two wickets to take a valuable 1-0 lead in the series. Saying that England have to answer questions over their approach as well as their team combination, Ricky Ponting said:
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“As far as I’m concerned now, England have more questions to answer than Australia. On their style of play, but also now looking at that first Test, they’ve got some selection issues that they’re going to have to deal with as well. Moeen [Ali] can’t play the next game with his finger the way it is. Jonny Bairstow actually had a very ordinary game behind the stumps, there’s about four chances that he put down. And on flat wickets, if they want flat wickets, you cannot afford your keeper to be making mistakes.”
The second Ashes Test will take place at Lord’s from Wednesday, June 28 as well.
