Ricky Ponting dismisses any talk of Australia T20I coaching agreement

The current Australia cricket team coach Darren Lehmann has already revealed his plan to walk away from the coaching job after the 2019 Ashes in England. The former World Cup winner will quit office once his contract expires after a jam-packed 2019. That will include the 50-over World Cup, where Australia will be defending their title, and the return Ashes in England — a hurdle Lehmann is yet to conquer as coach in two attempts.

Thus with Lehmann gone, Cricket Australia (CA) want to have a replacement in place so that the transition is smooth. And only recently reports surfaced suggesting former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was in line to become the country’s next T20I coach. He was also speculated to join Lehmann’s staff as an assistant for the upcoming T20I tri-series against England and New Zealand next month.

However, the 43-year-old Ponting insists that no deal has been agreed for him to coach Australia at the next ICC World Twenty20. Despite being in discussions with CA, Ponting is adamant that no agreement has been signed.

Ponting clears air of ambiguity

Clearing any air of ambiguity, the former Aussie skipper said, “I’ve had discussions with Cricket Australia for a long time about getting involved somewhere in some way shape or form. I love coaching, I love being able to give a little bit back into the game.”

While working as a commentator for Network Ten during its coverage of the Big Bash League, he further added, “Obviously working and commentating on the Big Bash gives me an opportunity to see all the players and keep up with the tactics and the skills that are coming into the game now.

“I’ve been talking to them [Cricket Australia] and I’ll continue to talk with them. I would like to get involved somewhere if it works out that way, but certainly, nothing has been decided as yet,” Punter stated.