ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has offered guidance to England batter Harry Brook, urging him to adapt his approach while playing in Australia.
Brook’s performance in the ongoing Ashes series has reflected England’s struggles: flashes of brilliance often overshadowed by key dismissals that have allowed Australia to seal the series with an unassailable 3-0 lead. Despite scoring 173 runs—second only to Joe Root in the England lineup—the stylish right-hander has managed just one half-century from six innings. Many of his dismissals have come at crucial moments, frustrating fans and teammates alike.
Ponting, a long-time admirer of Brook, believes the England No.5 must modify his game to succeed Down Under. “I love Harry Brook. He’s one of the best players to watch, but with some of his dismissals, he’s almost selling himself short,” Ponting told Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“He doesn’t need to do some of the things he’s doing. He’s had the chance to watch Joe Root go about his cricket for the last 15 years, and Harry Brook has every bit as much talent as Joe Root. You see him trying delicate lap shots off Scott Boland against a yorker when his team needs him to make a hundred and chase 435—that’s where adjustments are necessary.”
Ponting added that Brook’s teammates and coaching staff are likely equally frustrated with his dismissals in Australia. “They should be critical of those mistakes because it’s those errors that have cost them this Ashes series. You can’t play that way in Australia—you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. And we’ve seen that throughout the series,” he said.
The advice underscores the need for Brook to balance flair with prudence, ensuring his natural talent translates into impactful contributions against Australia.
