Ricky Ponting named assistant to Darren Lehmann for the T20I series

Two-time World Cup-winning Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been named as the assistant to Darren Lehmann for the triangular T20 series where Australia along with New Zealand and England will lock horn with each other. The Australian cricket team beat England 4-0 in the 5-match Test series and now the two sides face each other in the ODI series.

Graeme Hick, David Saker and Brad Haddin who has been the other assistant to head coach Lehmann are travelling in advance to South Africa ahead of the side’s tour in March. To replace them, Ponting will be joined by Matthew Watt, Australia women team’s head coach and Troy Cooley, the head of the national performance programme.

Ponting was associated with Mumbai Indians in the last Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons while for 2018 edition of the IPL, the 43-year-old has been named as the head coach by Delhi Daredevils. He was regularly in touch with the Cricket Australia over the role as an assistant. Ponting also hinted that he was open to taking up the role as a full-time coach if there’s any scope for that.

While speaking to Cricket Australia, he said, “There’s a fair bit of talk about splitting the (head coach) roles up and I’m just delighted my name is one that’s come up for that permanent role down the track.” Ponting had earlier worked with the side during the team’s tour to Sri Lanka when the top Australian side was preparing for India series.

He is currently enjoying his stint of commentator in the Big Bash League where he is working alongside likes of Mark Waugh, Damien Fleming, and Adam Gilchrist.

Can’t wait to work with Lehmann again

He said that he is excited to work with his former teammate. “I loved working with the squad last year against Sri Lanka and I can’t wait to be working alongside Darren, Troy, and Matthew this time around,” said Ponting, Australia’s highest run-getter ever. He said that the series against England and New Zealand will be a terrific series. “I’m delighted to be involved with the Australian squad again for what should be a terrific series against England and New Zealand,” said Ponting.”

Australia currently ranks low at number 7 and would want to go northward in the rankings.