“I always said when I retired that I wanted to get back involved”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been appointed as an assistant coach for the national team’s Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka in February.
Ponting will work alongside Justin Langer, who was named head coach, and Jason Gillespie, who has also been named as an assistant coach.
The trio will take charge of the coaching department for that series as regular head coach Darren Lehmann and assistant coach David Saker will be in India with the Test team.
“I always said when I retired that I wanted to get back involved and what better way to do it than alongside a couple of my best mates in cricket, Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie,” Ponting said. “We have some incredible Twenty20 talent in this country and I can’t wait to work with JL, Dizzy and those selected to have a real crack at doing something special for Australia’s Twenty20 international ambitions.”
Langer voiced his excitement upon hearing that Ponting had joined the coaching set-up, and said: “It’s exciting that Ricky will be involved alongside Jason and myself during the Sri Lanka series as he was the one man I really wanted alongside us.
“His knowledge of the game and the way he reads it, coupled with his invaluable experience as an IPL coach with the Mumbai Indians means he knows the format inside-out. Add this to his playing and now commentary experiences in the BBL and he has all the makings of a great coach. I can’t wait to work alongside my ex-captain and friend again.
“Ricky’s experience will add so much value to the group especially if, as seems likely, there are some fresh and relatively inexperienced faces in the squad with several senior players set to be in India at the same time. Just like Jason and myself, he will be coming into the series off the back of a long period watching Twenty20 cricket in the BBL and that will increase the chances of us hitting the ground running when the squad assembles.”
Pat Howard, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Team Performance, added: “It is terrific news that we have secured Ricky’s services to work alongside Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie during the series against Sri Lanka.
“By getting him on board during the series it will allow Justin, Jason and the players to tap into his extensive Twenty20 knowledge, gained through his time playing and coaching in domestic tournaments in England, the Caribbean, India and Australia, as well as through his time watching the KFC BBL for Network Ten.
“The fact Ricky, Justin and Jason all know each other so well through their many years together in the Australia team means they will gel quickly and their significant collective experience of the format should ensure the squad that is selected gets all the guidance it needs off the field.”
Since many of Australia’s key players will be in India for the four-Test series, a second-tier side is expected to be picked for the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.