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Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed his belief that Australia's method proved successful against England as they clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Ponting also opined that England, led by Ben Stokes, were left questioning their 'Bazball' approach.
Captain Pat Cummins guided Australia to a remarkable win at Edgbaston with an unbeaten 44 and a match-winning ninth-wicket partnership of 55 runs alongside Nathan Lyon, successfully chasing down 281 on the final day of the match.
Australia's triumph came in response to Stokes' bold first-innings declaration on 393/8 on day one of play.
"I think England have the most questions to answer. Their style of play: Is it going to hold up in an Ashes series? I'm not saying that England's method is wrong. I've enjoyed watching them play, but it goes to show there's more than one way to approach the game," explained Ponting during an interview with Sky Sports.
"This is a long and grueling game. Australia's method has stood the test and it has worked. I hope this series continues to be played with the same intensity, and I know Ben and Brendon (McCullum, England head coach) will approach it the same way, which adds even more excitement to the next week," Ponting added.
On the other hand, former England captain Kevin Pietersen expressed his belief that England's supporters will now be hoping for a victory in the second Test at Lord's, beginning on June 28. Pietersen emphasized the significance of results in a series like the Ashes.
"I don't think we should overly criticize this team. The declaration is certainly something that will be discussed. However, the way both teams played, and the emphasis Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum placed on entertainment in Test cricket, made for a captivating match over the last five days. David Warner mentioned that some England players were 'throwing their wickets away,' and he stated that 'we aren't going to play that way'," Pietersen stated.
"This sentiment from a senior player in the Australian team signifies their belief that Test cricket shouldn't be played in that manner. English fans desire a win. They want to be entertained, and the atmosphere was fantastic. The game was tense and went down to the wire, but ultimately, English fans want their team to emerge victorious. You can talk all you want, but in an Ashes series, it's about the results," Pietersen concluded.
As the focus shifts to the second Test at Lord's, both teams will be eager to make adjustments and showcase their competitive spirit in pursuit of victory in this highly anticipated Ashes series.