Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that English pace bowler James Anderson is currently not at his best form in the ongoing Ashes series. However, Ponting backs the veteran cricketer to bounce back and find his rhythm soon.
Anderson, who recently held the No.1 ranking for pace bowlers in Tests, has struggled in the first two matches of the Ashes, taking only two wickets at an average of 81.00. He remained wicketless in the final innings of the first Test and failed to make an impact in the second Test under overcast conditions.
Despite Anderson’s recent performance, Ponting emphasizes that it would be unwise to write off a champion like Anderson based on a couple of poor outings. He believes that Anderson’s skills are still intact, but the bowler himself may feel that he is not at his best currently.
Anderson suffered a niggle before the Ashes series and was unable to play in the one-off Test against Ireland. He has been critical of the pitches and has admitted to searching for rhythm in the series.
Ponting also expressed surprise at the selection of Scott Boland over Mitchell Starc in the second Test at Lord’s. He believed that the conditions were well-suited for Boland’s style of bowling but assumed that there might be a small niggle concerning the change in the lineup.
Starc, who replaced Boland in the playing XI, managed to make an impact by dismissing England skipper Joe Root with a short ball. However, he has been the most expensive bowler for Australia in the match so far.
Given the current situation, Anderson will need to perform well in the remaining matches of the Ashes to retain his No.2 ranking in pace bowling. Ponting believes that Anderson has the ability to overcome his current struggles and continue being a champion of the game.
In conclusion, while Anderson’s recent form may be a cause for concern, Ponting remains optimistic about the veteran bowler’s ability to bounce back. He believes in Anderson’s skills and knows that champions like him should never be written off. Anderson’s performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial for England’s chances in the Ashes series, and fans will be eagerly watching to see if he can find his rhythm and produce his best form once again.
