Ponting’s dream is on hold

RICKY Ponting says he dreams of coaching Australia one day, but the Test icon is adamant Justin Langer should be the next man put in charge of the country’s cricket fortunes.

Last night’s Twenty20 international at the MCG marked a significant return to the fold for Ponting, the first time since his retirement, and there’s no doubt he remains the No.1 target in the big picture of Australian cricket.

Ponting, an assistant to Langer for the three-match series against Sri Lanka, ultimately would love to be at the helm of an international cricket team and when that time comes it won’t be a hard decision for Australia to make. But that’s not yet. With Darren Lehmann planning to retire from his post after the 2019 Ashes series, alltime Test great Ponting is urging Cricket Australia to look no further than T20 interim coach Langer when implementing its succession plan.

Ponting wants to limit travel at this time for family reasons for at least the next four to five years, but admits coaching is a passion burning within him and an area in which he feels he can make a big impact.

“It’s the closest I can get to competing and playing again,” Ponting, 42, said.

“That’s why it’s nice to be involved this week, to get a bit of a toe back in the water.

“When it’s cricket time, I’m pretty full on in that I want to make sure everyone is doing things the right way and getting the absolute most out of every session.

“I’m pretty much a disciplinarian but I’m pretty technical as well with a lot of stuff I like to talk about. I think I’ve got a great eye for the right way to do things, especially on the batting side of things.

“Right now I’m not ready for a full-time international coaching gig, but in four years’ time, five years’ time, whenever it might be … I know one thing, my passion for the game will still be there and I’m sure my passion for coaching will still be there.”