Here to help, says Ponting, as pressure builds

RICKY Ponting wants to take some of the pressure off Australian coach Justin Langer at the World Cup with the spotlight set to turn on the defending champions on and off the field.

Australia’s capacity to handle the circus around the return of banned batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner will play a huge part in the team’s performance when the World Cup starts in England in June.

Ponting said the addition of the two batsmen put Australia, on paper at least, equal with tournament favourites England and India, a statement reflected in the odds. Bookmakers have Australia $7 third favourites to win a sixth World Cup.

But the former Test captain, who will work as an assistant to Langer for the tournament, was aware how important it was to handle the comebacks of Smith and Warner, with the focus set to turn on the duo when their playing bans end on March 28.

“All of us will have a big role to play in those guys coming back in to the team,” Ponting said yesterday.

“It’s not just about those two. It’s about everyone in Australian cricket embracing those guys. We’re all big boys, I’m sure there will be some open and honest conversations about those boys coming back.

“I’m sure they will be having conversations amongst themselves now anyway. I know what Justin is like, I’m sure it will be handled the right way.”

Ponting, who won three World Cups as a player, two as captain, said he was willing to take some of the pressure off Langer, as well as handle his workload as an assistant coach, conceding the new coach took over at a “difficult time” for Australian cricket.

“It’s been as hard on him as it possibly could be given the situation Australian cricket has found itself in,” Ponting said.

Ponting was adamant the Australian one-day team, which won just two of 11 matches in the past 12 months, could win the World Cup.

“We’ll get Warner and Smith back ... I don’t think there will be too many better teams on paper,” he said.

“This current group now has to start putting some good solid performances together and if they do that you will see the whole mood, the whole environment around the team will change. They will play more confident cricket. And it can change really quickly.”

Ponting also put up his hand to work more with the Australian white-ball teams, with next year’s T20 World Cup on his radar.

“Cricket is in my Australian cricket is blood,” he said. blood, in my