Ricky Ponting & Mark Taylor did not hide their frustration at the lack of an effective strategy by Australian bowlers as England sets a daunting 384-run target in the Ashes fifth test.
After managing to get a slender 12-run lead in the first innings, Australian bowlers toiled hard on Day 3 in London as another Bazball blitzkrieg saw the Three Lions score 395 with a run rate of 4.82.
The top order fired on all guns with Zak Crawley once again scoring a solid 73 (76 balls) before Joe Root took control and smashed a brilliant knock of 91 off just 106 balls. Whereas, Ben Stokes (42), Ben Duckett (42), and Jonny Bairstow (78) also chipped in with vital contributions.
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England kept bowling full at Crawley and Ponting was left frustrated with the strategy as the batsman has struggled with back-of-length deliveries on the fifth stump throughout the series.
“I think Ricky Ponting is just about to explode,” former England captain Nasser Hussain mentioned while commentating.
“Everyone in world cricket knows where to bowl to Zak Crawley … you bowl fifth stump, back of a length. They bowled on his pads, they bowled both sides of the wicket. They got it wrong and now they’re playing catch-up cricket. You can have as many theories as you want, but you’ve got to bowl better," he added.
What did Ricky Ponting say?
Ponting did not mince words during lunch on Day 3 and slammed the Australian quicks for their line and length.
"Australia have been a bit all over the place, to be honest. I think what it has highlighted throughout the series is when you've got the new ball in hand, you'd better be ready to start and bowl your best delivery. If you don't - as we saw today - there is a boundary off the first ball, then 13 off the first over and the pressure is suddenly on the bowlers. That's what England are trying to do and create. Australia haven't been ready," he said.
Crawley was ultimately sent back to the pavilion with an outside-of-the-off-stump delivery from Pat Cummins.
Taylor also hit out at the Aussie bowling attack as he found it "surprising" that the pacers did not bowl many bouncers to Crawley even with the new ball.
“They haven’t bowled enough short ones at the right time to Zak Crawley. I would have loved to see Australia … set him on the back foot a little more. I’m surprised Australia haven’t tried to rock him back early, even with the brand new ball, a couple of short balls. It is a bit like an Australian pitch. There is bounce in it. I’m surprised Australia haven’t used that bounce," he said.
What next for Australia?
Australia have got off to a solid start in their chase and are currently 61 for no loss with David Warner and Usman Khawaja on the crease.
MORE: Follow the latest action from the final Ashes Test here
