'I've Got A Feeling That...,' Ricky Ponting's Bold Predictions For 5th Ashes Test
Ben Stokes after final day of the fourth Test (AP Photo)
Former Australian Ashes-winning captain, Ricky Ponting, has offered his suggestions for changes to the playing eleven of both England and Australia ahead of the fifth Ashes Test, set to take place at the Oval from Thursday, July 27.
During the third Test at Headingley, Australia turned to young off-spinner Todd Murphy after veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was ruled out of the series due to a calf injury. However, Murphy managed to claim only one wicket in less than ten overs, leading to Australia adopting an all-seam attack in the fourth Test, with the return of Cameron Green. Unfortunately, this decision backfired as England amassed a massive 592 runs in the first innings.
Ponting believes that bringing Murphy back for the final Test would be a wise move. He noted that the Oval pitch generally favors spin, and the weather forecast for London looks more promising than the previous week, suggesting a suitable opportunity for Murphy to make a difference.
"I've got a feeling that they'll want to bring Murphy in for the last Test. The Oval generally does spin a little bit more, and already I think the forecast for this week in London looks better than last week, so I wouldn't be surprised if Murphy comes back in. So the decision will come down to Murphy and Green again,” Ricky Ponting said on The ICC Review.
Ponting's predicted Australia XI for the fifth Test: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Todd Murphy, and Josh Hazlewood.
Regarding England's selection, Ponting addressed the issue of veteran bowler James Anderson, who was brought back for the third Test but didn't perform as expected, only managing one wicket in 37 overs across both innings.
If Anderson is being dropped, England's captain Ben Stokes faces a crucial dilemma concerning the bowling attack. Ponting believes that Josh Tongue, who impressed at Lord's, should return to the side, but he also considers Ollie Robinson, provided he is fit to play.
“What I saw with Tongue at Lord’s…he was the pick of their bowlers in that Lord's game and then he's gone straight back out. So I'd be very surprised if Anderson actually plays this last Test," opines Ponting.
Ponting's predicted England XI for the fifth Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, and Josh Tongue.
However, Ponting's prediction went wrong and England have decided to go with an changed XI that played the fourth Test in Manchester.
Australia will face England in the series finale at the Oval in London on July 27.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
