Ricky Ponting Joins Australia's Coaching Staff For World Cup Campaign

The three-time World Cup winning batsman Ricky Ponting has joined Australia’s coaching staff team for the forthcoming ICC World Cup 2019. Australia’s batting coach Graeme Hick will focus on Australia’s Ashes campaign. Cricket Australia has announced that Ricky Ponting will assist Australia’s head coach Justin Langer in the upcoming ODI showpiece.

Australia will look to savor success for the sixth time in the World Cup as they are the most successful World Cup side. On the other hand, Australia’s fast bowling coach David Saker had resigned from his post yesterday.

Ponting has all the experience under his belt.

Ricky Ponting has all the experience under his belt and his inputs to the Australian batsmen will be like gold. Australia is low on confidence as they have failed to hit the ground running in the recent past. Thus, Ponting’s tutelage will be invaluable.

In a statement, Cricket Australia said Ponting’s appointment is part of “changes to the coaching structure (that) will see him focus on working closely with the ODI batting group”.

“This appointment also provides an opportunity for Graeme Hick to focus on preparation for the Ashes,” said interim High-Performance Executive General Manager Belinda Clark.

“With two major events back to back we believe it is important to focus a number of staff specifically on one event. The appointment of Ricky is a part of this overall strategy.

“Ricky will assist Justin across a number of key areas including strategy and game-plan, but he will also work closely with and mentor the batting group as they prepare for the English conditions.”

On the other hand, Justin Langer shares a great bonhomie with Ricky Ponting. The former Australian skipper knows the formula to win the big events like the World Cup as he also led Australia to two World Cup titles.

Ponting knows how to win the World Cup.

“Ricky knows what’s required to win World Cups, and I know he will be a valuable mentor to not just the batting group, but the broader squad as we focus our attention on defending our World Cup title,” Langer said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Wolrd Cup squad will be announced in late April. Australia’s banned pair of Steven Smith and David Warner are also expected to return in the coveted tournament. The Men in Yellow has won the World Cup title on five occasions.

In fact, Australia might not enter the competition as favorites but it would be pertinent to consider them as one of the contenders of the World Cup. They are a big side and their players know how to strike back form in the big event. So it would not be prudent to rule them out of the big ticket tournament.

Furthermore, Ricky Ponting will continue to coach the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.