Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Wednesday expressed his thoughts about Australia playing without a spinner in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford.
Skipper Pat Cummins and company have been under scrutiny ever since the visitors announce their playing XI which included no spinner as some believe that the decision could backfire.
However, the three-time World Cup winner believes that the Aussies have chosen the best playing XI given the conditions.
"It is a big decision (to not play a spinner) but looking at the wicket it doesn't look like it will turn much. There's a nice grass covering and the surface underneath is hard. It is likely to play in a similar way to the one in Headingley last week earlier in the game with overhead conditions around," said Ponting while talking to Sky Sports Cricket.
"For Australia, they have to play this Test match with the intention to win and not just draw, and that's how I think they have picked their eleven, giving them the best chance to win. Don't get defensive or else you're playing right into England's hands."
Meanwhile, on the other hand, England’s veteran wicketkeeper has stated that Australia playing without a spinner is shocking to him.
"I think England are a better-balanced side in this Test and at Headingley than the one in the first Two Tests. Australia not playing a spinner just blows my mind. It seems like a defensive move. You have a long-range forecast which could change and they don't have the ability then to change things up if things don't work out for the seamers," he said.
Australia currently lead the five-match series 2-1 and are just one win away from clinching the series. While England have all to play for as they need a victory to take the series to the last Test.
Lineups
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood.
Schedule of remaining Ashes matches
Fourth Test (Emirates Old Trafford) - Wednesday, July 19 - Sunday, July 23
Fifth Test (The Kia Oval) - Thursday, July 27 - Monday, July 31
- Ricky Ponting