Australia’s assistant coach Ricky Ponting believes his side can win the World Cup once Steve Smith and David Warner return. The former captain and vice-captain are still banned after their part in the ball tampering scandal that rocked cricket in 2018.
Both players can return to action on March 29, but the duo do have elbow injuries to overcome.
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Australia have slumped to sixth in the world rankings and have lost their last six ODI series in succession but Ponting believes his team can respond once the pair come back. “India and England are probably the two standout teams right now but if you add Warner and Smith back into that line-up, I think that team looks as strong as any,” Ponting told reporters in Melbourne. “With the inclusion of two of the best one-day players in the world and a lot of experience, all of a sudden the team starts looking a lot better. “I am not just saying that because I am one of the coaches, I actually said it when I wasn’t around the group. “Conditions in England will suit our style of play … I think Australia will be the one of the main contenders for sure.”
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