Ponting hits back at criticism

Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne were criticised for their friendship © Getty Images

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has denied his team has lost their aggressive edge towards England, despite claims from former greats that an over-friendly atmosphere contributed to last year’s Ashes loss against England.

Allan Border, Mark Waugh and Merv Hughes are among those who believe the Australians need a more ruthless attitude when the two sides compete again in their upcoming five-Test series, which starts in Brisbane on November 23.

“To me the perception was it was a very friendly series, played in fantastic spirit,” Border told The Daily Telegraph.

“We are not complaining about that but there was a perception we didn’t have an edge to our game that we’ve had in the past."

“We lost the attitude towards the English that we once had, the attitude that was introduced by Allan Border,” Hughes added.

But Ponting, who is currently leading the Australians in the ICC Champions Trophy in India, dismissed suggestions his side had lost its edge, describing the 2005 Ashes as one of the fiercest of his career.

“We play our best when we are hard-nosed and aggressive and that’s the way we have to approach it again," Ponting said.

“How you get on off the field is all taken away when you get on the field. We have to make sure we keep doing that.”