'I don't believe that for a second' - Ricky Ponting questions England’s adherence to Bazball approach

The first Test of the Ashes 2023 did not go as planned for Ben Stokes-led England. After declaring their innings at 393 runs on the first day, the plan laid down by Stokes seemed to have backfired, as Australia managed to win the game by two wickets on Day 5.

It was thanks to a brilliant knock from skipper Pat Cummins down the order that Australia chased the target and won the game. After the loss, many pundits came forward to question Stokes' tactics and his mindset as Australia took the lead in the Ashes 2023. 

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting also gave his take on the game. The 48-year-old questioned whether or not England are true to their mantra of not being result-driven. Ponting’s question came to the forefront after Stokes admitted feeling devastated after the loss.

"I've heard them say that before, that they're not 'results driven', but I don't believe that for a second, this is an Ashes series; this is the biggest challenge that Ben Stokes has had in his career as a captain," Ricky Ponting said on the ICC Review podcast. 

"I'm not copping that. I mean, if they're not results driven, they wouldn't be disappointed at all about losing. And it seemed to me last night; and he said it, that all his players were in pieces at the end of that game. So that means to me that they do care about losing, and you should," he added.

Winning Test matches is not an easy thing to do: Ponting

Ponting also touched upon how winning a Test match is never easy, especially a game of the Ashes. He opined that England were in control of the game on Day 1 but let it go, and Australia made the most of that opportunity.

"Winning Test matches is not an easy thing to do, and winning an Ashes Test is not easy. You don't want to be giving good cricket teams opportunities back into a game of Ashes cricket when you're in control of the game. England were in control of the game late on day one. So England presented Australia with an opportunity, and Australia made the most of it," Ponting said.