Ricky Ponting likely to coach Australia in the next ICC World T20

Ponting had earlier mentored the Mumbai Indians franchise in IPL.

Ricky Ponting | Getty

Batting legend Ricky Ponting, who has previously coached the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians for two seasons, might be seen in the Australian dug out in the next edition of ICC World Twenty-20.

In contrast to the 50-over World Cup, Australian team have failed to create an impact in the World T20 thus far. It was back in 2012 that the Aussies had made it to the knockout stages of the global T20 tournament. A change in the dressing room might just be the trick which can revive the team’s fortune.

According to a report in cricket.com.au, Cricket Australia is in talk with Ponting to mentor the home team for the showpiece event which is to be played on the home soil in 2020. The two times World Cup winning captain will also play the role of an assistant to Darren Lehmann in the forthcoming T20I tri-series, comprising of Australia, England and New Zealand. However, with Lehmann's contract coming to an end in 2019, CA is likely to appoint Ponting for the chief coach role.

For a brief period earlier this year, Ponting also joined the Australian coaching staff for the Sri Lanka series. He was a key figure in shaping up the Mumbai Indians side in the Indian Premier League. It was his visionary eyes that brought the exceptional talents like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya in the scene. The three-time World Cup-winner was also instrumental in guiding and marshalling players such as Jos Buttler and Krunal Pandya.

Generally the think tank and team management during Australia’s T20I match is split up with the interim coaches like Trevor Bayliss, Langer and David Saker deputizing Lehmann.

Cricket Australia’s mantra is to be a numero uno team across all three formats. And behind the scenes there is a belief the only way they can make that happen in Twenty20 cricket is to make it a restructured and professional department.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 01 Jan, 2018

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