Ponting and Gillespie emerge as front-runners for Australia coach duties

Team Australia might as well be in the midst of the worst crisis it has ever seen, following the ugly surfacing of the ball-tampering incident. With the current coach, Darren Lehmann expected to tender his resignation in near future, the hunt for a new face to suit the vacant spot has already begun. If reports are to believed, the star pairing of Ricky Ponting and Jason Gillespie has emerged as the front-runner for the coaching role.

Cricket Australia (CA) has already launched an immersive investigation to get to the roots of the ball-tampering fiasco and is expected to announce its findings as well as the decision on Tuesday evening (South African time). Current Aussie coach, Lehmann, whose name has cropped up in the entire mess more than once, maybe stepping down around the same time. Australian captain, Steve Smith and vice-captain, David Warner are also staring down the barrel with an imminent ban of a year.

Ponting, Gillespie being considered as damage control measures

Both Ponting and Gillespie have been exemplary performers for the national side in their time and drafting them in to take over the coaching reigns will be a damage control measure of sorts. As reported by Cricbuzz, the respectable duo is being considered for being roped in to be at the helm of the hapless Australian side. Justin Langer has also emerged as a possible contender for the coaching spot. Further, with Smith set to lose his captaincy for good, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is being eyed as the possible replacement.

Ponting has previously captained the Australian side from 2004-10, led them to the World Cup title and has successful coaching stints with both the Aussie T20 team as well as the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

On the other hand, Gillespie has coached the current title holders of the Big Bash League (BBL), Adelaide Strikers and was also recently signed on by the county team, Sussex as coach. Considering how grim the situation is for Australian Cricket, both these legendary cricketers may be tempted to step up to steer their national side out of troubled waters.