Despite thrashing vs Pakistan, Ponting backs Australia to reach top 4 in T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup: Former cricketer Ricky Ponting has backed Australia to reach the semi-final of the T20 World Cup. Ponting has shown confidence in the side, despite the team getting battered by Pakistan in the 3-match T20I series.
World No. 2 T20I side, Australia, were handed a reality check in their final tune-up for the T20 World Cup, suffering a crushing 0-3 whitewash at the hands of Pakistan away from home. The series ended in embarrassing fashion for the visitors, who were bowled out for 108 and 96 in the final two matches.
The defeats exposed Australia’s long-standing struggles against low and slow subcontinental conditions. Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed ran through the Australian batting line-up, with the visitors failing to adapt with the bat on all three occasions. The series raised serious questions around Australia’s balance and preparedness just weeks before the global tournament.
Despite the heavy losses, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has played down the significance of the result, backing the side to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026.
“If you look at the squad, I think they have as good a chance as anybody,” Ponting said while speaking to the ICC.
“India probably start as the clear favourites because of the conditions, the talent and the group of players they have put together. They’ll be hard to beat. But I really do think we’ll see Australia there come semi-final time,” he added.
Australia’s build-up has been further complicated by injury concerns, with fast bowler Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament. The squad has also drawn scrutiny for its lack of specialist players adept against spin, with in-form Steve Smith not included.
Ponting admitted injuries remain Australia’s biggest worry heading into the World Cup but backed senior all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, along with youngster Cooper Connolly, to shoulder responsibility.
Australia open their campaign on February 11 against Ireland. All their group-stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka, where surfaces at the R Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele are expected to offer turn and variable bounce.
Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Travelling reserve: Sean Abbott
World No. 2 T20I side, Australia, were handed a reality check in their final tune-up for the T20 World Cup, suffering a crushing 0-3 whitewash at the hands of Pakistan away from home. The series ended in embarrassing fashion for the visitors, who were bowled out for 108 and 96 in the final two matches.
The defeats exposed Australia’s long-standing struggles against low and slow subcontinental conditions. Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed ran through the Australian batting line-up, with the visitors failing to adapt with the bat on all three occasions. The series raised serious questions around Australia’s balance and preparedness just weeks before the global tournament.
Despite the heavy losses, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has played down the significance of the result, backing the side to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026.
“If you look at the squad, I think they have as good a chance as anybody,” Ponting said while speaking to the ICC.
“India probably start as the clear favourites because of the conditions, the talent and the group of players they have put together. They’ll be hard to beat. But I really do think we’ll see Australia there come semi-final time,” he added.
Australia’s build-up has been further complicated by injury concerns, with fast bowler Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament. The squad has also drawn scrutiny for its lack of specialist players adept against spin, with in-form Steve Smith not included.
Ponting admitted injuries remain Australia’s biggest worry heading into the World Cup but backed senior all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, along with youngster Cooper Connolly, to shoulder responsibility.
Australia open their campaign on February 11 against Ireland. All their group-stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka, where surfaces at the R Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele are expected to offer turn and variable bounce.
Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Travelling reserve: Sean Abbott