Ricky Ponting Believes David Warner And Steven Smith’s Experience Will Help Australia
Feb 15, 2019 at 11:07 PM
The two-time World Cup-winning former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that David Warner and Steven Smith’s presence will help the Australian national cricket team.
Since the Cape Town Test ball-tampering incident in March 2018, the Australian national cricket team is badly missing both the experienced cricketers. While the involved cricketer Cameron Bancroft has just completed his suspension period, both the senior cricketers will complete their suspension period at the end of upcoming March, during the ODI series against Pakistan.
Since their suspension, Australian cricket has faced a massive downfall in international cricket. The Australian side has consistently struggled to perform positively. In recent international cricket, the Australian team missed the experience of big players.
Though David Warner and Steven Smith’s suspension period will end soon, their quick international returns are still in doubts. Especially, both the cricketers have injury issues, and Steven Smith has a bigger injury issue.
The former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has recently spoken about David Warner and Steven Smith’s comeback. He feels that the present Australian national cricket team needs their experiences.
Ricky Ponting told Triple M’s Rush Hour, “I’ve spoken to both of them quite a bit during their suspensions. Over the last couple of weeks, they’ve both had quite similar elbow surgeries that’s sort of going to hold them back a bit. Steve’s ended up being a little bit worse than Davey’s was.
“I said the other day I’m looking forward to having those guys back in the side. There’s still got to be a decision made as to whether they go straight back into the team or not.
“Reading the tea leaves, not only do we need those level of players back in our side, but the experience as well in our one day side and Test team.”
Ricky Ponting picks up the favourite sides for the World Cup.
Ricky Ponting has also opened up about his favourite team for the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. He believes that the present top two ODI ranked teams England and India are the favourites for the World Cup at present.
However, he further added that Australia could be a stronger side in the presence of David Warner and Steven Smith. The five-time World Cup-winning team Australia will begin the forthcoming World Cup as the defending champion.
The former Australian captain said, “India and England are probably the two standout teams right now but if you add Warner and Smith back into that line-up, I think that team looks as strong as any.”
England and Wales will host the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup from 30 May to 14 July. Ten teams will participate in this competition. Australia won the World Cup in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. Under Ricky Ponting’s captaincy, Australia won the tournament in 2003 and 2007.