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"Best team this century": Ponting's stunning Ashes claim
SEN • November 12th, 2025 7:19 pm
Stuart Broad described Australia's Ashes squad as the "worst in 15 years".
Unwilling to be drawn into the war of the words, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hailed the England team as the best he’s seen this century.
With both squads confirmed and just over a week to go before the first ball of the series is bowled at Optus Stadium, former players from both countries have had their say on everything from pre-Ashes preparations, opening partnerships and the etiquette of sledging.
England have remained relatively under the radar since arriving in Perth last week. They will play just one warm-up match against their own Lions side before battle starts on November 21.
No stranger to the noise and hype that comes with the travelling circus of an Ashes tour, he spoke to SEN about which side has the edge.
“This build up started years ago,” Ponting told SEN’s Eye for Value segment with Bharat Sundaresan. “It happens the same way every time a series comes around.
“Some of the ex-Ashes combatants have started as well with Stuart Broad and Dave Warner kicking things off.
“There’s probably more this time. England are talking themselves up more, they’re confident coming to Australia with the group of players they’ve got and fair enough, this is the best team they’ve had probably this century.
“Their balance, experience, fast bowling attack looks well suited to conditions.
“It’s such an exciting time for fans around the world.”
While excited about the form of England, history is not lost on Ponting.
The Poms have won just five series since the second World War, the most recent of which was 2010-11.
Moreover, England have not won an opening Test in Australia since 1986.
It’s a different era however and the work done by England coach Brendon McCullum will be central to them loosening Australia’s stranglehold.
“If you break it down, this whole Bazball phenomenon, the way they play their cricket is about Brendan putting a group together that can play in Australia,” Ponting continued.
“I don’t think it’s been about anything other than winning in Australia.
“They have to turn history upside down. They only have four Test wins in Australia this century. They have a lot on the line.
“That’s what makes this series so interesting. We know how England want to play, we know how Australia do play. The two different ways coming together in Perth will be unbelievable.”
While England look to be the more settled of the two sides, all eyes are on who Australian selectors elect to open the batting with Usman Khawaja.
Ponting is adamant the series and future needs Jake Weatherald.
“We think it’s not settled, we don’t know what the players know,” he said. “It could have been settled a long time ago. If I was Australia I wouldn’t be saying anything either.
“It’s become clearer to me in recent days. There was a lot of backing for Weatherald, they love his method and the fact that he that he scores quickly.
“His two dismissals this week was playing very aggressive shots so it looks He might have been given the role to go out and be the one to put the pressure on the England opening bowlers.
“That being the case the uncertainty is around Beau. The fly in the ointment is the fact Webster got five yesterday. If he does miss out, he will be unlucky. Marnus has knocked the door down.”
