Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey was asked to pick one captain between India's MS Dhoni, and Ricky Ponting, and safe to say, it was tough - even for Mr Cricket!
Australia retained the Ashes with a comprehensive 185-run victory in the fourth Test but let slip a golden chance to win their first Ashes series in England since 2001.
Ricky Ponting said Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner are the only certainties for the first Test at the Gabba against Pakistan, starting November 12.
Ponting, who is serving as Australia assistant coach, also narrated what went on with the team after Paine won the toss as the development took him in utter surprise.
Ricky Ponting talked about Steve Smith's innings against Australia in the first innings of the fourth Test, and hinted at ways with which English pacers could get him out.
Ricky Ponting feels that Mitchell Starc's fast reverse swinging deliveries could have been lethal against Ben Stokes and Jack Leach in Leeds.
Virat Kohli will have the chance of equalling Ricky Ponting's record of centuries as a captain in Test cricket when India take on the West Indies in the first Test in Antigua.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said that Jofra Archer's fiery spell on Day 4 of the second Ashes Test reminded him of the hostile start of 2005 Ashes series, led by Steve Harmison.
Ricky Ponting has backed Australia to go with the same playing XI which won the Edgbaston Test against England.
Ricky Ponting, who is part of the MCC's Cricket Committee, feels the 2002 rule that only neutral umpires can officiate in games must be changed.
In 2018, Warner and Smith were banned for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal. However, even after serving their ban, English fans were hostile against both in the recently concluded World Cup.
Considered one of the best in the world, Root has the lowest conversion rate when compared to India captain Virat Kohli, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Australia's Steve Smith.
Ponting said he saw a lot of maturity in Stokes during the World Cup and is the 'real heartbeat' for England at the moment.
England outplayed five-time champions Australia by eight wickets in the second semifinal on Thursday, and Ponting said his pre-tournament prediction about the home team is coming right.
Apart from the semi-final defeat, Australia had also lost their last league game against South Africa and finished at the second spot in the points table after the group stage.
Ricky Ponting made a bold claim about Australia's campaign, but expressed his worries at facing England in the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup.
David Warner was at his devastating best when he smashed his first century since making a comeback from his year-long ban and helped his side beat Pakistan by 41 runs.
Ricky Ponting defended Australia's top-order after it failed to fire against India and said the opening pair of Aaron Finch-David Warner is among the best in the world.
Ricky Ponting is considering the game against West Indies as a wake-up call and hoping for Australia to bounce back against India.
Ricky Ponting said there were concerns about the middle-order's ability to play spin a year ago but the return of David Warner and Steve Smith has strengthened the team.
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