As the excitement for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 mounts, Ricky Ponting, former captain of the Australian cricket team, has cast his insights into the potential makeup of the Australian squad, particularly spotlighting Steve Smith’s involvement. Ponting, whose expertise on the game is sought after given his illustrious career, predicts Smith’s inclusion in the squad. However, he casts doubt over Smith’s presence in the starting eleven.
Smith, who is known for his technical prowess and unorthodox batting style, brings a wealth of experience, which Ponting acknowledges could be greatly beneficial during high-stakes tournaments like the World Cup. “You love having guys like him around because of the experience and the calming influence that you can have around a team during a World Cup,” Ponting expressed during his conversation with the ICC.
Yet, Ponting is acutely aware of the necessity for each team member to serve a specific role. “But the other thing you always have to be mindful of is what role can he play?” he added, highlighting the need for strategic team composition. Ponting didn’t shy away from addressing Smith’s recent performances, noting that “So I would think if Steve Smith does find his way into the squad, I don’t think he will be in the starting XI.” This stern assessment comes after Smith had a mixed bag of roles in the recent series played in New Zealand.
Delving deeper into the team’s dynamics, Ponting explained that while Smith’s expertise is valuable, the Australian team is currently experimenting with its lineup, seeking the perfect combination of players ahead of the World Cup. This suggests that Smith’s position within the squad might be more fluid, with Ponting stating, “I think he opened the batting in a couple of those games, but not all of those games and they’re sort of spreading the load around a little bit trying to find their right combination.”
Despite his reservations about Smith’s direct role, Ponting confirmed that he would personally select Smith for the squad, though not for his starting XI, further cementing the notion that Smith’s presence in the team could be more as a figure of influence and experience rather than as a leading player on the field.
In the same breath, Ponting put forward his strong belief that Mitchell Marsh is poised to lead Australia as the T20I captain. He remarked on Marsh’s evolution as a mature player and his innate leadership qualities. Ponting recalled Marsh’s early identification as a potential leader, stating, “I remember, five or six years ago when Justin Langer took over as the coach of the Australian team, he actually named Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head as joint vice-captains of the Test team.”
According to Ponting, consistency in leadership is crucial, especially when considering the wider spectrum of the game where fast bowlers like current captain Pat Cummins may rest more frequently than batsmen. For continuity and considering Marsh’s impressive record as captain, Ponting envisions him as the captain moving forward.
Ponting’s perspective offers a glimpse into the nuanced decision-making that goes into the selection process for international cricket squads, particularly in the context of a global event like the T20 World Cup where each team aspires to find that winning formula. As the anticipation for the World Cup grows, Ponting’s predictions and assertions will undoubtedly add to the conversation about the best strategies and personnel for achieving international T20 glory.
