Australia legend Ricky Ponting feels England may need to rethink their ‘Bazball’ approach to Test cricket after conceding defeat in the Ashes opener.
Pat Cummins led Australia to a remarkable two-stroke victory at Edgbaston, with an unbeaten record of 44 and a win of 55 alongside No. 10 Nathan Lyon.
Australia’s victory came on the heels of Stokes’ first-half claim of 393 to eight on opening day after he and England head coach Brendon McCullum promised entertainment for supporters.
“It was just an outstanding game and I’m honored to be here to watch it,” Ponting told Sky Sports.
“What’s interesting for me is which team has the most questions to answer, and I think England too.
“Will their play continue in the Ashes series? Will they continue or do they claim to be at 393 on day one?
“Not that I’m saying England’s methods are wrong. I’d love to watch them play. But it does show that there are ways to skin a cat. It’s a long game and methodical. Australia’s has stood and worked.”
Australia successfully completed their second-highest chase in the UK, hitting a target of 281 which seems to be far ahead of them.
Former England captain Hussain also told Sky Sports, adding: “It was fantastic, absolutely fascinating from the first ball that Zak Crawley hit the net to that last serve.
“Pat Cummins was calm and cool as their country, and this country, stood outside our seats.
“When you lose, ‘Bazball’, claims and everything else will be in doubt.
“But I applaud the players because the field has sold out in five days and everyone who comes here today will want to come back to watch the cricket test match.
“And in this age, when the cricket test match is vulnerable, you have to keep an eye on that.
“But obviously you want to win. You can’t hide behind that. We’ve beaten Australia in England since 2001 playing the old-fashioned way, so we don’t need ‘Bazball’ to beat. Australia then, but they showed why they are the number one team in the world.”
READ MORE: Captain Pat Cummins leads Australia to epic win over England in First Ash Test
