ICC World Cup 2019 | Ability to bowl and play spin will define Australia’s success, claims Ricky Ponting

ICC World Cup 2019 | Ability to bowl and play spin will define Australia’s success, claims Ricky Ponting

no photo

Ricky Ponting revealed that Australia’s World Cup campaign in the coming weeks will be defined by their ability to play spin and the performance of the two spinners in the squad. Adam Zampa is thought to be the first-choice spinner with veteran Nathan Lyon considered as back-up for the World Cup.

Australia have truly risen from the ashes like a phoenix as far as their recent displays on the international stage is concerned. Justin Langer has helped re-ignite the flame within the hearts of the Australian squad as they gear up to prove their doubters wrong and successfully defend their World Cup title in the coming weeks.

However, former Australia captain and two-time World Cup winner Ricky Ponting is of the opinion that Australia’s World Cup campaign will be totally reliant on their batsmen’s ability to play world-class spinners and the performance of - Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon.

"The thing that will define Australia's success in the World Cup is, one, how well they bowl spin and, two, how well they play it. That's been their Achilles' heel the last 12 or 18 months. With Zampa bowling well now, Nathan Lyon's obviously in the squad and Glenn Maxwell's done a good job with the ball whenever he's played.

"And I think some of our middle order are probably slightly better players of spin now than they were 12 or 18 months ago. With Warner there now and Steve Smith coming back in, the middle order looks a lot better against spin bowling than it probably was," Ponting told The Telegraph on Thursday (May 23). 

Another boost for the defending champions will be the return of star batsmen - David Warner and Steve Smith - as the the duo look to be in promising form. Warner was the highest run-getter in the IPL, while Smith's half-century in the warm-up game would have given him confidence.

"They're both playing really well. Steve Smith still thinks he's not probably 100% fit just yet - but he's not far away. And Warner's been the dominant batsman in the IPL. Those two coming in, obviously they're class players - they'll have their fair share of issues to deal with from the crowds and stuff when they get over there. But they're big boys. They've been there and seen it all before. I'm sure they'll be fine," Ponting added.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all