Ashes is mentally, physically draining; Australia better off playing less Tests, says Ricky Ponting
India Today Web Desk
Australia and England are set to have vastly different lead-ins to the Ashes, which will begin at the Gabba in December, later this year.
The Tim Paine-led Australia will play a one-off Test against Afghanistan before the much-awaited Ashes series, while England will play 17 Tests in the 2021 calendar year.
However, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes the Australian team will not be physically drained before the Ashes as they will be playing fewer Tests before that.
In an interview with cricket.com.au, Ponting said: "I honestly don't think it matters that much," Ponting said. "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)?