Ricky Ponting claims England's 'Bazball' approach designed to just win Ashes

Published - 19 Nov 2025, 11:48 IST | Updated - 19 Nov 2025, 12:01 IST

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting recently opened up on England’s ‘Bazball’ style and claimed that the aggressive approach was designed for just winning the Ashes in Australia. With the blockbuster 2025-26 Ashes draws near, Ponting openly questioned England’s public messaging around their style.

England’s Bazball revolution under head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes has changed the way the team approaches Test cricket. While the style has delivered stunning wins and bold declarations, it has also attracted criticism for being reckless and inconsistent. Ponting believes that England is not being honest about this intention.

The former revealed England has spent two full years building a squad and a mindset tailored for Australian conditions. He believes their ultra-aggressive approach, seen right from the first ball of the 2023 Ashes when Zak Crawley drove through cover for four, is an intentional preparation for the fast, bouncy pitches Down Under.

“They're a side that have been together for two years (since the 2023 Ashes), building up to this. Bazball, as far as I'm concerned, and I know Brendon reasonably well, was only designed for this one series. Forget about everything that's happened over the past two years, it was all about having a group together and a style of play that can stand up and win Test matches in Australia. They've only done it four times in the past 25 years, and they are going to need to do it at least three times this summer, so I can't wait to see how they play,” Ponting said on 7NEWS.

According to Ponting, England’s openers Ben Duckett and Crawley will continue to play in the same manner. He also feels the predictability of their approach could help Australia set smart fields and exploit their attacking instincts.

“I do not think they will change. I have seen enough of them over the past two years to know that they are going to play the same way. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley are going to play the same way that they have always played. If they can, England win the toss and bowl, and back themselves to get more runs in the fourth innings than the opposition get in the first innings. That is not going to change,” he added.

Ponting also questioned England’s public defence of Bazball, calling it a shield against criticism. He said the mindset of we don’t care if we lose is unrealistic and contrasts with how champion Australian teams addressed mistakes honestly.

“And when you talk about Bazball and the style of play as much as they have over the past couple of years, you cannot suddenly just not do it. You have to continue to do it. That is one area Australia can target. Knowing that they have to come ultra-aggressive, you can set different fields and use different tactics to make them and their egos come to you during a Test match,” he concluded.