‘Why are you captain then?’ – Ricky Ponting hits out hard at Joe Root for criticising England bowlers after Adelaide debacle

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting came down hard on Joe Root for criticising the England bowlers after the visitors’ 275-run defeat in the second Ashes Test. Following the Day Night affair at the Adelaide Oval, Root didn’t mince any words in saying that the Three Lions’ bowlers weren’t quite able to hit the line and lengths necessary to pick wickets in the pink-ball Test.

Root had said that the bowlers need to bowl fuller-length deliveries. Ponting didn’t mince any words in saying that the Brits’ Test skipper should have shown his authoritative power to make the bowlers bowl as per the requirements.

Ricky Ponting talks about the duties of a captain

“I nearly fell off my seat when I heard that. Whose job is it then to make them change? Why are you captain then? If you can’t influence your bowlers on what length to bowl, what are you doing on the field?” Ponting was quoted as saying on cricket.com.au.

Ponting, Australia’s 2003 and 2007 World Cup-winning captain, said that Root should have been a bit more proactive in making bowling changes going by the need of the hour.

“Joe Root can come back and say whatever he likes but if you’re captain, you’ve got to be able to sense when your bowlers aren’t bowling where you want them to. And if they’re not going to listen, you take them off, simple as that.

“Give someone else a chance that is going to do it for you. Or you have a really strong conversation with them on the field to tell them what you need. That’s what captaincy is all about,” he added.

On the personal front, Root had a reasonable outing as he scored 62 runs in the first innings followed by 24 in the second. The veteran also sustained a groin injury after being hit by a delivery from left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc.

Chasing 468, England were bowled out for 192 in 113.1 overs. Joe Buttler put his head down for a 207-ball 26 with two fours before he got out hit wicket off Jhye Richardson, who picked up a five-wicket haul. MCG will host the third Test, starting December 26.