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“He doesn't need to…”: Ponting delivers crucial advice to Brook ahead of the Melbourne Test

Poulomi Chakraborty

Ponting's advice to Brook (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com)Ponting's advice to Brook (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com)

Before the Ashes went on the big stage, the world hoped for a nerve-wracking contest between the arch-rivals. But it turned out to be a tale of pure Australian dominance as England is yet to register its first win in the ongoing series.

Amid England’s poor run, Harry Brook began the series on a positive note but soon lost his rhythm. Ahead of stepping into the upcoming Test match, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting came up with a crucial piece of advice for the young English batter.

Ponting breaks down where Harry Brook is going wrong

The attacking ‘Bazball’ mindset has backfired on Ben Stokes and England, as they are having a horrible outing on the rival’s soil. England started off the Ashes 2025-26 with a heartbreaking defeat in Perth, and the struggle only grew bigger in the next two matches. After three consecutive victories, the Aussies successfully retained the historic urn, leaving Stokes and Co. reeling.

Even in England’s horrific run, Harry Brook started the series with a gritty half-century but later failed to continue his form. Despite getting a strong start, he failed to convert it into an impactful innings. Speaking in The ICC Review, Australian great Ricky Ponting stepped in to point out the key errors holding the young batter back.

“Look, I love Harry Brook. He's one of the best players in the world to watch, but I think with some of his dismissals, he's almost selling himself a bit short on how good he is,” he said.

“He doesn't need to do some of the stuff that he's doing. And I guess, I'm sure it’s going to be frustrating for an English fan as well, or even some of his teammates. You know, he's had a chance to sit back and watch Joe Root go about his cricket for the last 15 years. And to be fair, and this is no knock on Joe Root,” he added.

Ricky Ponting compares Harry Brook to the England great

Over the years, Joe Root has stood tall as an icon of English cricket, achieving almost everything in a glittering career. In his cricketing career, a Test hundred on Australian soil was missing from his record book, but the English great completed it in the ongoing Ashes. Reflecting on Harry Brook’s struggles, Ricky Ponting remarked that Brook possesses every bit of talent that Root does.

“Harry Brook's got every bit as much talent as Joe Root has. You see him trying to play little lap shots off Scott Boland against a yorker that could have easily knocked his middle and leg stump out of the ground when his team needs him to make a hundred and chase down 435,” he said.

Retaining the Ashes, Australia is set to face England in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. While the hosts eye another dominant statement win, England enter desperate for their first victory of the series.