Cummins more of old fashioned Test captain, Stokes tries to make something happen every ball: Ponting

Two captains, two contrasting styles of leadership in Ashes series: Ponting. Pat Cummins is an old-fashioned Test captain, while Ben Stokes is trying to make something happen every ball. Cummins has enjoyed a good run as skipper, winning 4-0 in last Ashes & defeating India in WTC final. Australia lead series 2-1 & Ponting believes result will decide captains' tactics.

The legendary Ricky Ponting feels Australian skipper Pat Cummins is more of an old-fashioned Test captain, who lets "plans unravel" while his English counter part Ben Stokes tries to make something happen every ball.

The decisions of the two relatively new captains in the ongoing Ashes series have given rise to intense debates.

While Stokes' call to declare early in the first innings in the opening Test was dissected by media and pundits alike, Cummins' sparse use of rookie spinner Todd Murphy in the loss at Headingley also raised eyebrows.

"I think this has been one of the most tactical series that I could remember, because of the two different styles of play, probably two contrasting styles of leadership as well," Ponting said 'The ICC Review'.

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"Pat [Cummins] is more of an old-fashioned sort of Test match captain where he sort of lets sets fields and lets plans sort of unravel and is happy to do it over a long period of time, whereas Stokes is a bit the other way.

"He's sort of trying to make something happen every ball and therefore sometimes plans never really have a chance to eventuate," Ponting added.