Ponting makes Steve Smith T20 World Cup call and predicts Australia's next skipper
ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has provided his thoughts on whether Steve Smith will appear at this year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup and predicted who will be named Australia’s captain in the shortest format.
By Jonathan Healy
Smith has been sparingly used by the Aussies in the T20I format of late, with the 34-year-old having played just four matches for his country since the last edition of the T20 World Cup on home soil at the end of 2022.
The champion right-hander has managed just one score in excess of 20 from those four matches in a relatively new role as opener and spots in Australia's squad for the 20-over showcase are limited with teams having to lock in a 15-player group prior to the start of the June event.
Imagining the atmosphere of a full crowd at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York
Left-handers David Warner and Travis Head look likely to continue their burgeoning partnership at the top of Australia's batting order, while Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Tim David appear certain to feature in a strong top six.
Ponting discussed Smith’s prospects of making the trip with host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review and the Australia legend thinks the right-hander’s experience can prove a valuable asset for the 2021 T20 World Cup champions in the USA and Caribbean and expects to see him sneak into their squad for the tournament.
"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 said of Smith.
"But the other thing you always have to be mindful of is what role can he play?
"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.
"And I think that's probably been shown the last couple of weeks with the series they just played in New Zealand. 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, but would I have him in the squad?
"I think I'd have him in the squad, but he wouldn't be in my starting XI."
Batting highlights as Steve Smith hit a quickfire half-century for Australia against Netherlands at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
Smith's spot in the squad of 15 isn’t the only query surrounding the set-up of the Australian team in the lead-up to this year's T20 World Cup, with the role of captain still up for grabs following Aaron Finch's retirement from the job at the end of 2022.
Marsh has been given the chance to captain the side during recent series against the West Indies and New Zealand, while Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins and veteran keeper Matthew Wade have also been utilised in the crucial role in recent times.
But Ponting thinks Marsh is the right person for the job and expects it will only be a matter of time before the 32-year-old is announced as Australia's new T20 captain on a full-time basis.
"I think he will (be T20I captain) and I think he deserves it as well as he has matured a lot as a player," Ponting declared.
"He's certainly a leader of men, which hasn't only been just the last few months. 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.
"So leadership has always been in the back of the selectors' minds as far as Mitchell Marsh is concerned.
"I think you want continuity around that role. Pat's not going to play potentially all those T20 games throughout the season leading into a World Cup. The fast bowlers are probably always going to be rotated more than what the top-order batsmen are. So I think for continuity purposes and the fact that Mitch's record when he's captain is very good, I think he will be the captain going forward."
Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is focused on making runs and being a back-up bowler at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
"He's certainly a leader of men, which hasn't only been just the last few months. 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.
"So leadership has always been in the back of the selectors' minds as far as Mitchell Marsh is concerned.
"I think you want continuity around that role. Pat's not going to play potentially all those T20 games throughout the season leading into a World Cup. The fast bowlers are probably always going to be rotated more than what the top-order batsmen are. So I think for continuity purposes and the fact that Mitch's record when he's captain is very good, I think he will be the captain going forward."
Batting highlights as Mitch Marsh hit a sizzling 121 from 108 balls for Australia against Pakistan at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
Smith's spot in the squad of 15 isn’t the only query surrounding the set-up of the Australian team in the lead-up to this year's T20 World Cup, with the role of captain still up for grabs following Aaron Finch's retirement from the job at the end of 2022.
Marsh has been given the chance to captain the side during recent series against the West Indies and New Zealand, while Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins and veteran keeper Matthew Wade have also been utilised in the crucial role in recent times.
But Ponting thinks Marsh is the right person for the job and expects it will only be a matter of time before the 32-year-old is announced as Australia's new T20 captain on a full-time basis.
"I think he will (be T20I captain) and I think he deserves it as well as he has matured a lot as a player," Ponting declared.