Fans deserve to see a good match with a result: Ponting on India-Australia WTC final | Cricket News – Times of India

England’s bid to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) may have fallen short, but their bold and entertaining playing style, dubbed ‘Bazball,’ has left a lasting impression on cricket legend Ricky Ponting. As India and Australia prepare to clash in the one-off WTC final at the Oval next month, Ponting expressed his desire to witness a similar approach on the field.
“I think the cricket-loving world deserves to see an unbelievably good Test match with a result,” Ponting remarked, emphasising his expectations for the upcoming final starting on June 7. He praised England’s recent gameplay, stating, “The really refreshing thing that I’ve seen in world Test cricket in the last two years has been the way that England played – this all-out, win-at-all-costs sort of approach.”

As part of England’s “red-ball reset,” skipper Joe Root stepped down, and the team underwent a transformation. Under the leadership of Ben Stokes and the guidance of former New Zealand captain Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum as coach, England has enjoyed remarkable success, winning 10 out of 12 Tests.
Stressing the significance of the aggressive style England has adopted, Ponting, who himself is a cricket enthusiast, commentator, and observer, shared, “I’m a cricket-lover, I’m a cricket-watcher, I’m a cricket commentator, so I want to see cricket played the best way it can be.” He went on to assert, “I think what England have done, they played Test match cricket the best way it can be played.”

Ponting expressed his hope that the captains of both India and Australia, Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins, will embrace this fearless approach in the WTC final. He believes that both teams deserve to demonstrate to the world that Test match cricket can be played aggressively, with a focus on winning and advancing the game.
The India-Australia rivalry, which has intensified since the late 1990s, is set to provide a captivating backdrop for the final. Ponting acknowledged India’s exceptional pace bowling and Australia’s formidable top order, suggesting that the match could shape up as a thrilling battle between the two strengths. “I think it’s a bit of a mouthwatering thought going forward,” Ponting added, highlighting the excitement surrounding the clash.
(With inputs from Reuters)