Ricky Ponting joins Australia support staff for World Cup
A day after David Saker, the bowling coach, stepped down as Langer's assistant, Cricket Australia on Friday, 8 February, announced that Ponting, who has played in five World Cups, will join the support staff for the tournament in England and Wales.
"The appointment of Ponting is part of changes to the coaching structure and will see him focus on working closely with the ODI batting group, and Graeme Hick (the batting coach) focus on preparing for the Ashes," a release from the board said.
With 13,704 runs from 375 ODIs and two World Cup wins as captain in 2003 and 2007, the legendary batsman brings with him a wealth of experience. He will begin the role after the team's limited-overs tours to India and the UAE.
“The World Cup is an iconic tournament and we believe the addition of Ricky to the coaching staff for the 2019 event will provide the Australian team with a competitive advantage,” said Belinda Clark, interim EGM of high performance. “Ricky’s success, knowledge and experience in limited overs cricket as both a player and coach will be hugely beneficial for our playing group.
“[He] 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.”
Ponting has taken interim coaching roles with the side before, most recently during the ODI series in England. Langer, who described his former team-mate as "driven", was all praise for him.
ICC CWC 2003; Australia (359-2) v India (234). Australia won by 125 runs
“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,” the coach said. “He has an impressive understanding of the game, he knows what’s required to prepare and perform at the elite level, and we can’t wait for him to get started working with the squad.”
An "excited" Ponting said, “I’ve enjoyed my previous short-term roles with the ODI and T20 teams, but World Cups take on a whole different meaning for me. I have enormous confidence in the players available to the selectors and know we will be as tough to beat as any team in this year’s World Cup.”
Australia, the defending champions, open their campaign on 1 June, against Afghanistan.