New Delhi, Nov 20 (NationPress) Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has forecast that the home side will secure victory in the forthcoming five-match Ashes series against England with a score of 3-2, despite the match being intensely competitive.

Australia has held onto the Ashes since 2018 and has only faced defeat against England in four home Tests this century. However, Ponting anticipates a robust challenge from the English team in this series on Australian soil.

"I don't believe there will be any draws, considering the style of play England employs. Provided the weather remains favorable during the Australian summer, we are aware that Sydney has historically been a concern due to the number of lost playing days there," Ponting remarked during the latest episode of The ICC Review.

"Perth and Brisbane typically provide excellent conditions at this time of year. Therefore, I predict no drawn matches, and I see it being extremely close. Thus, I'm going with 3-2 in favor of Australia."

He elaborated, "The absence of draws indicates just how closely contested it could be. I take into consideration that England has won just four Test matches in Australia this century, and I foresee them winning two in this series, highlighting how competitive it could be."

Ponting emphasized that England's success will largely depend on the performance of openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, cautioning that if Australia’s bowling unit strikes early, they could dominate the middle order. He believes that the openers must aggressively approach Australia's fast bowlers to gain early momentum.

"I have reflected on the past couple of years when England has played exceptional Test cricket, and it has often stemmed from strong, swift starts from their openers," Ponting noted.

"Their approach is to come out, take their shots, and exert pressure on the opposition right from the beginning. Suddenly, the scoreboard shows none for 70 or 80 after just 8 to 10 overs into the Test match.

"This will be essential in Australia. It won’t be easy, particularly if they bat first in Perth and Brisbane, which is not England’s preferred strategy.

"England typically prefers to bat second, but if they do not achieve rapid starts and if Duckett and Crawley struggle at the top, it will place immense pressure on middle-order players like Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope, who has not performed well in Australia historically.

"Before they know it, Ben Stokes might be in much earlier than England would wish. Therefore, the performance of the openers is crucial.

"While much discussion will surround Root, Brook, and Stokes and their potential impact on the series, if the openers fail to provide a solid and rapid start, the Australian bowlers could seize control and infiltrate the middle order early with the new Kookaburra ball, which is exactly what Australia aims for.