Tuesday 9 January 2018 07:51, UK
Ricky Ponting will join Australia's coaching staff for next month's Twenty20 tri-series against England and New Zealand.
Ponting, who captained his country in the first two editions of the World T20, will act as assistant coach to Darren Lehmann, joining Troy Cooley and Matthew Mott in a new-look backroom team for the short format.
Lehmann's regular deputies, David Saker, Brad Haddin and former England batsman Graeme Hick, will all be in South Africa beginning preparations for a four-match Test tour.
Ponting, who was recently named head coach of Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, also worked with the T20 side during a three-match series against Sri Lanka last year.
"I'm delighted to be involved with the Australian squad again for what should be a terrific series against England and New Zealand," he said.
"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.
"Watching the Big Bash League in my role as a commentator has shown me we have a wealth of talent available to us in this format and a tri-series like this will give us a great chance to establish a pattern of play that works best for the players."
Lehmann welcomed his former team-mate and skipper aboard, adding: "Ricky has a fantastic cricket brain and when it comes to Twenty20 cricket there aren't many better in the world given his experience around the world, as a player, a coach and a commentator.
"It's an exciting prospect for us, as coaches, to have the chance to take advantage of Ricky's Twenty20 knowledge and, for the players, the chance to work with one of Australia's all-time greats will be just as exciting for them."
