Australia Tim Paine Ricky Ponting Justin Langer
From lett: Australia captain Tim Paine, assistant coach Ricky Ponting, coach Justin Langer Getty Images

Australia might have been whitewashed in England in the recent ODI series, but Ricky Ponting believes they can still turn things around and win the 2019 World Cup. In an interview with Channel Seven, Ponting pointed out that there is ample time in the lead-up to the World Cup: “There are 16 one-dayers to be played between now and the next World Cup. I’ll guarantee you when you put the Australian group of 15 players down on a sheet of paper, that group will line up as good as any other team in the world … One thing I do know is we’ve got still the best depth of any cricket nation in the world and I will continue to say that.”

Ponting also hailed former colleague Justin Langer, who has recently taken over the reins as Australian coach: “The environment Justin Langer will create around that team will be a place that everyone will just get better, they’ll just improve, they’ll love the environment … I’m really excited about what the future holds not just right now but for the next 20 years.” Ponting himself had served as assistant coach on the tour.

Ponting had been part of three World Cup-winning sides in 1999, 2003, and 2007. He led them in the last two, and was Player of the Match in the 2003 final. Australia’s upcoming ODIs are against South Africa and India towards the end of this year.