Ashes is mentally, bodily draining; Australia higher off taking part in much less Tests, says Ricky Ponting

Australia and England are set to have vastly totally different lead-ins to the Ashes, which is able to start on the Gabba in December, later this yr.The Tim Paine-led Australia will play a one-off Test towards Afghanistan earlier than the much-awaited Ashes collection, whereas England will play 17 Tests within the 2021 calendar yr.However, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes the Australian group won’t be bodily drained earlier than the Ashes as they are going to be taking part in fewer Tests earlier than that.In an interview with cricket.com.au, Ponting mentioned: “I honestly don’t think it matters that much,” Ponting mentioned. “If they get a bit of first-class cricket in and they get that one Test match in against Afghanistan, are you better off going into the Ashes series with not a lot or going in with a lot (of Tests)?“Ashes series are so physically and mentally draining; you might be better off going in with less.“But it doesn’t matter what you’re going in with, it’s about what you do in those big moments, as we saw with the India series.”On Australia’s center order conundrum, Ponting believes Travis Head nonetheless has the within working to characteristic on this summer time’s Ashes marketing campaign regardless of his current contract snub. He additionally recommended the left-hander will face competitors from Moises Henriques and even Marcus Harris recast as a middle-order batter.And on the bowling entrance, the previous Australia captain additionally tipped Riley Meredith as a possible bolter to make his Test debut towards England.“I think Travis will play some more (Test cricket). I think that’s probably his slot in the middle order now, so let’s hope he can make the most of it.“Marcus Harris is someone who can bat there as well. I don’t think he needs to open. If he shows that he’s good enough and scores enough runs in domestic cricket as an opener, I think he can easily bat in the middle order.“I think they’ve just got to work on who their best player is and if it’s Harris, if it’s Head, if it’s Henriques work out who it is and give them a chance there.“That probably just going to come down to the weight of runs. Out of those three guys, I think one of them will be batting in the middle.”Harris, who had performed all his life as an opener, had moved to first down along with his County Championship aspect, Leicestershire. The Southpaw additionally scored his maiden century within the competitors whereas batting at No 3.