Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has delivered a frank assessment of Australia’s disappointing exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, describing the campaign as well below expectations and lacking
the commanding ‘aura’ that once defined the nation’s teams on the global stage.
His comments came a day after the washout of the Zimbabwe-Ireland match ensured that Australia won’t qualify for the Super-Eight for the first time since 2009. After beating Oman, the injury-ridden team lost to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in consecutive matches.
Speaking on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Review show, Ponting suggested the current side did not exude the same authority as previous Australian outfits heading into major tournaments.
“You look at that Australian team on paper, it just doesn’t look to have that sort of aura around it that a lot of other Australian teams have going into ICC events and World Cups,” Ponting said.
He stressed that major tournaments are often decided by senior players delivering in defining moments — something he felt was missing this time.
“You need to have your best players and your most experienced players standing up and winning big moments for you in these tournaments if you want to go ahead and win and Australia haven’t had that.”
Though he spoke about inconsistent performances from the top order and the dramatic six-wicket collapse for 20 runs against Sri Lanka, Ponting singled out the shock 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe as the turning point that effectively ended Australia’s hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage.
“It’s been a really poor campaign, it has to be said. Just losing to Zimbabwe like they did, that’s going to be the game that they’re going to think back and think like that’s our World Cup gone, there and then,” said Ponting.
While Australia were hampered early by injuries to key bowlers, Ponting maintained that the Zimbabwe loss would be the result that lingers longest.
But before concluding, he rejected the notion that Australia treated the T20 World Cup lightly, insisting ICC trophies remain the ultimate prize and clarified that former players remain supportive.
“As a past player, we certainly don’t sit back and bash the current players or talk about them in a negative way when they don’t win. We just want to see our team do well. So, unfortunately, that hasn’t happened over the last couple of weeks. And that’s something that group of players has to live with.”
