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Ricky Ponting. (Photo by Scott Barbour - CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)

Australia’s newly recruit assistant coach Ricky Ponting believes the team will be a strong unit after Steven Smith and David Warner will join the squad after their suspension. Both the batsmen are Australia’s best players and the team hasn’t been at their best after both the talisman were banned. However, Ponting believes Australia would be able to turn the tables when Warner and Smith will get back into the squad.

Meanwhile, Australia’s former skipper Steven Smith will not be able to play for the national side in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan in UAE. On the other hand, Ricky Ponting has all the experience under his belt and he had led Australia to two World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007. Thus, Ponting knows the formula to win the big events.

Ricky Ponting, Tim Paine
Ricky Ponting (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

It would be a mistake to rule Australia out of contention.

Ponting believes India and England are the front-contenders but Australia can punch above their weight if Warner and Smith can hit the ground running.

“India and England are probably the two standout teams right now but if you add Warner and Smith back into that line-up, I think that team looks as strong as any,” Ponting told reporters in Melbourne.

“With the inclusion of two of the best one-day players in the world and a lot of experience, all of a sudden the team starts looking a lot better.

“And you’ll have guys that will handle pressure situations a lot better.”

Since the start of 2018, Australia has played 16 One Day Internationals. However, the champion side has won only two matches. Ponting believes it is the spin bowling that is Australia’s Achilles Heel in the recent past.

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Stuart Law, David Warner, Steven Smith
Steven Smith with David Warner. (Credits – Getty)

Spin Bowling has been Australia’s kryptonite.

“I think the thing that’s held us back the last few years in one-day cricket has probably been how we play spin bowling,” Ponting said.

“That was certainly an issue when I was with the team in England last year. Moeen Ali and (Adil) Rashid tied our batsmen up.

“Looking at our lineup now, there’s potentially a few better players of spin in the middle order than what we had this time last year. But you think about English conditions as well, the wickets probably shouldn’t spin too much throughout the World Cup.”

Australia is a big side as they have won the World Cup title on five occasions. Consequently, it would be a mistake to rule them out of contention. The return of Steven Smith and David Warner is going to be a big boost for the side and they would like to get going from the get-go. Furthermore, Ricky Ponting’s tutelage is going to play a key role for Australia to help them defend their title.

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