Ricky Ponting has all but confirmed speculation that he is in line to coach Australia at the Twenty20 World Cup in 2020 on home soil.
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The 43-year-old Tasmanian addressed media reports that he was in negotiations with Cricket Australia during Network Ten’s Big Bash League coverage on Tuesday.
“I've had discussions with Cricket Australia for a long time about getting involved somewhere in some way, shape or form,” Ponting said.
“I love coaching, I love being able to give a little bit back into the game.
“Obviously working and commentating on the Big Bash gives me an opportunity to see all the players and keep up with the tactics and the skills that are coming into the game now.”
National coach Darren Lehmann said last month that he would not be seeking a contract extension beyond the 2019 Ashes series in England.
It is expected the national coaching jobs will be split in some way, with Ponting’s former Test teammate Justin Langer widely tipped to be Lehmann’s longer-format replacement. Ponting, who played just 19 T20 internationals, has previous experience coaching in the game’s shortest format.
The Launceston-born father-of-three assisted Langer during a three-match series against Sri Lanka last year in Australia last year and won the 2015 IPL title as Mumbai Indians head coach.
Australia is ranked seventh by the ICC in T20s and its only world final came in 2010, when it lost to England in the Caribbean.
Ponting said one of the reasons behind Australia’s lack of success is the fact it does not play a lot of T20 cricket.
“I would like to get involved somewhere if it works out that way, but certainly nothing has been decided as yet,” Australia’s all-time leading run-scorer and one of its most successful captains said.
“If everything does line up, there’s a lot of things to think about.
“There’s tournaments all over the world at different times, is it going to interfere with things I’ve already got locked in which I’m obviously enjoying.”
Outside playing for Australia, the former Mowbray Primary and Brooks High student played T20s around the globe with Hobart Hurricanes, Antigua Hawksbills, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Somerset and Surrey.