Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Ashwin and Ponting Criticize England Batters
R Ashwin and Ricky Ponting, two famous cricket players, have some advice for the England cricket team.
They think Ben Stokes and Harry Brook, two of England's best players, need to change how they play.
Ashwin says Stokes has trouble hitting the ball when it spins, and Ponting says Brook takes too many risks and should play more carefully in Australia.
Both critics believe these players need to be smarter with their shots to help England win.
England is losing the series, so they need to make some changes for their next game on Boxing Day in Melbourne.
R Ashwin criticized Ben Stokes' batting approach against spin bowling, noting his ineffective use of the sweep shot.
Ricky Ponting advised Harry Brook to rethink his aggressive approach in Australian conditions, citing costly dismissals.
England is trailing 0-3 in the Ashes series, with Brook scoring 173 runs but failing to capitalize on crucial moments.
Ponting suggested that Brook's shot selection is causing concern within the England camp, despite their public stance.
England will aim to bounce back in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, crucial for their World Test Championship hopes.
- Who
- R Ashwin, Ricky Ponting, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook
- What
- Criticism of England batters' techniques and approaches
- When
- After the third Ashes Test in Adelaide; ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne
- Where
- Adelaide, Australia; Melbourne, Australia
- Why
- England's struggles in the Ashes series and need for improvement in Australian conditions
Critics
England Team
Batting Approach
Critics
R Ashwin and Ricky Ponting believe England batters, particularly Ben Stokes and Harry Brook, need to rethink their techniques against spin and in Australian conditions, respectively.
England Team
England encourages players to stick to their natural game, even if it leads to mistakes.
- Critics
- R Ashwin, Ricky Ponting
- Players Criticized
- Ben Stokes, Harry Brook
- Context
- Third Ashes Test, Adelaide; Upcoming Boxing Day Test, Melbourne
- Ashwin's Dismissals of Stokes
- 13
- Brook's Runs in Ashes 2025
- 173
- England's Series Status
- Trailing 0-3
- Ponting's Platform
- The ICC Review
Sources
‘Are questions being asked?’: R Ashwin exposes Ben Stokes’ weakness, ‘…dismissed by off-spinners for as long as I’ve bowled’
“Is This Question Being Asked?”: Ashwin Raises Concerns Over Ben Stokes After England’s Ashes 2025-26 Collapse
Ashes 2025: Ponting urges Harry Brook to rework his approach in Australia
‘Ollie Pope is a lost cause’: Geoffrey Boycott tears into England batter after Ashes flop show
Gujarat Confidential: ‘Collision’, reaction
