IND vs SA: Ricky Ponting Snubs All Indians To Pick Three Best Players Of ICC World Cup 2023

Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has unveiled his best three players for the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The former World Cup-winning captain named two players from the South African team and one player from the Australian team.

Ricky Ponting led the Australian team to victory in the 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cups. The right-handed batsman scored 1,743 runs in 42 innings during World Cup tournaments in the 50-over format, including five centuries and six half-centuries, with a highest score of 140*.

Adam Zampa Has Been Outstanding – Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting lauded Adam Zampa for emerging as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament despite a slow start. Ponting stated that Zama made a remarkable comeback after going wicketless in the first two games.

“It’s very hard to go past Adam Zampa, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. He played the first two games and took no wickets and he has bounced back now sits up top with 18 or 19 wickets. He has been outstanding,” Ponting said.

Adam Zampa is the current leading wicket-taker in the ICC tournament. The right-arm leg-spinner has picked up 19 wickets in 7 matches at an impressive average of 17.16. He has achieved four-wicket hauls three times in the World Cup 2023.

Probably Quinton de Kock’s Last World Cup – Ricky Ponting

The 48-year-old acknowledged Quinton de Kock’s outstanding performance, highlighting that it’s difficult to overlook him. Ponting stated that it’s likely to be his final appearance in the tournament.

“Quinton de Kock has four hundreds in this World Cup and it’s probably his last World Cup. It’s very hard to go past him as he has led a very strong South African batting brigade,” Ponting added.

De Kock is the leading run-scorer of the tournament, having scored 545 runs with an outstanding average of 77.86 and a strike rate of 112.60. He has smashed four centuries, making him the joint second-highest century scorer in a single edition of the World Cup.

Going For Another South African In Marco Jansen – Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting identified Marco Jansen as a valuable asset for South Africa in the current competition, citing Jansen’s early wicket-taking ability and valuable contributions with the bat in the lower order.

“The last one, I’m actually going for another South African in Marco Jansen. What he has been able to provide South Africa with the new ball taking wickets upfront, setting up their bowling innings with Powerplay wickets and also contributing with some handy low order runs,” Ponting further added.

Marco Jansen picked up 16 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 20.06 and an economy rate of 5.84. He also scored 143 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 47.67 and a strike rate of 128.83, with a best score of 75* runs.

Also read: IND vs ENG: Ricky Ponting Says England Will Have To Be At Their Best To Get Virat Kohli Out