Ricky Ponting joins Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie on Australia T20 coaching staff
Sunday 1 January 2017 09:22, UK
Ricky Ponting is the third former Australia international to join the country's coaching staff for the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.
Former team-mate Justin Langer had already been announced as head coach for the three-game series, and last week it was confirmed Jason Gillespie would be joining him.
Regular head coach Darren Lehmann and his assistant David Saker miss the series as they will be in India for a Test series which starts a day after the final T20.
Ponting has spent time in the commentary box and coached the Indian Premier League's Mumbai Indians since his retirement from cricket in 2013.
"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 cant 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 had some of his biggest batting successes in Ponting's all-conquering Test teams of the 2000s and he is thrilled to have his old captain on board.
"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," Langer said.
"His knowledge of the game and the way he reads it, coupled with his invaluable experience as a coach with the Mumbai Indians means he knows the format inside-out. I can't wait to work alongside my ex-captain and friend again."
The teams play three matches in Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide from February 17-22 with Australia's first Test against India starting in Pune on February 23.
New customer winter madness offer: save over 40% on your Sky Sports Month Pass, just £20
