Ricky Ponting to become Australia's next coach?
Former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting is believed to be the ideal candidate for two big positions in Australian cricket. Ponting stepping down as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians recently has only spiked up the speculation further which could see him land the role of Australia's new coach.
Following a string of dismal results where the Australian cricket team has lost an ODI series 0-5 and a Test series to South Africa at home, Australia's chairman of selectors Rodney Marsh has resigned from his post. Though another selector Trevor Hohns has replaced Marsh as the chairman and former skipper Greg Chappell has taken up the role of being the interim selector, there have been strong rumours in the Australian media that Ricky Ponting might take up the role as the chairman soon.
Cricket Australia(CA) high-performance boss Pat Howard has also been in talks with Ponting about taking up the role of the coach for the three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka in February, according to a report by FoxSports.com.au. Though current Coach Darren Lehmann has a contract till 2019, the uncertain situation could prompt the CA for a change.
Also, the appointment of former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene as the coach of Mumbai Indians has added to the speculation of Ponting's appointment. His former teammates Jason Gillespie and Damien Martyn's tweets have further added fuel to the rumours.
Selector and possibly coach T20 side in February when the Australian team support staff are in India for tests. https://t.co/0Qttr01rmK
— Jason Gillespie (@dizzy259) November 19, 2016
One of @CricketAus greats is no longer coaching the @mipaltan IPL side.Could a big announcement be coming. #cricket pic.twitter.com/2G8uJZQkX8
— Damien Martyn (@damienmartyn) November 19, 2016
Well, even if this becomes a reality, can it lift Australia from their current slump to the glory days of the 2000s?