'Events in March 2018 led to so much change' - Ponting reveals he was keen to be Australia's T20 coach before ball-tampering scandal

Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann stated that he wanted Ricky Ponting to coach Australia’s T20 team before the infamous sandpaper gate threw those plans in tatters. Lehmann reckons that the coaching job must be split across different individuals as that not only helps in managing the workload of coaches but also helps the team.

“I look back now and I think I coached too long,” Lehmann told the Herald and The Age. “I probably should have bowed out 12 months before that. I reckon four years is a good cycle when you’re away from home 300 days a year.

“If you split the role there is more longevity because you don’t have to do everything. And it has to be done properly so the T20 team can specialise. That’s just sensible.”

Highlighting how managing plenty of work responsibilities that come being a national team’s coach, Lehmann said: “You had board meetings, dealing with administration, dealing with states. It’s a big job,” he laughed with a hint of exasperation. “You can say that. I loved it. It was great. But it’s a big job and you need help!”

IPL continues to be my coaching priority: Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting, who was assistant coach to Lehmann at times through the 2017-18 summer and subsequent white-ball tour of New Zealand, had made it clear he was keen to be Australia’s T20 coach. A legend of the game in his own right, Ponting has an impressive coaching CV, having coached Mumbai Indians to an IPL title apart from being currently associated with Delhi Capitals, who topped the IPL 2021 points tally.

“I had a few chats with Pat Howard. It never got to the detail of specifics, timing, resources, structure etc as there was no time pressure for that to happen,” Ponting said. “It was an open-ended discussion.”

“However, the events in South Africa in March 2018 led to so much change in Australian cricket and the appointment of Justin Langer to replace Darren Lehmann, across all three forms, was absolutely the right decision.

“My life has changed a lot since then. IPL continues to be my coaching priority and it works well with my media commitments with the Seven Network, Cricket Australia and Sky in the UK. “The rest of the year is spent with my family and enjoying a work/life balance that I have never had before. Right now, I would have to give up so much to take on a national role. It’s just the wrong time for me.”