Ricky Ponting Hits Bullseye, Explains Reason Behind Australia T20 World Cup Setback
Ricky Ponting admitted that the current Australia team didn't have the same class as some of the past teams, going into the T20 World Cup 2026.
Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting didn't mince his words as he reflected on the team's early elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026. Defeats against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka put Australia on the cusp of elimination before a washed-out contest pushed them out of the biennial event. Though the team missed some of the superstar names like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, etc., in the tournament, Ponting also feels Australia lacked the 'aura' that some of the old national teams, going into ICC events, carried.
"It's been a really poor campaign, it has to be said," Ponting said on ICC Review. "They had some injury concerns at the start with (Josh) Hazlewood and (Pat) Cummins being ruled out, and then Tim David not available right at the start as well.
"But I think just losing to Zimbabwe as they did, that's going to be the game that they're going to think back and think like that's our World Cup gone, there and then.
"I think looking at the pool before the start of the tournament, I felt Sri Lanka would be difficult to beat at home and that's certainly the way it turned out. They played really well against Australia. That was an amazing run chase when you look at it. That sort of score is never an easy one to chase down.
"But to think that Zimbabwe outplayed Australia in an ICC event, it's those opportunities that you can't afford to give up in a tournament like this."
"Doesn't Have That Aura"
Cricket might be a team sport, but superstar names on the roster do help boost one's confidence. Having seen Australia dominate ICC events in the past, Ponting had no qualms in admitting that Mitchell Marsh's side didn't have the same quality on paper.
"I think I said to you the other day that you look at that Australian team on paper, it just doesn't look to have that sort of aura around it that a lot of other Australian teams have going into ICC events and World Cups," he said.
"You need to have your best players and your most experienced players standing up and winning big moments for you in these tournaments if you want to go ahead and win, and Australia haven't had that.
"They probably haven't got enough out of their top order batting with Cameron Green at No.3, and then Tim David coming in at No.4 for the last couple of games. Those two haven't fired, and Australia have lost early wickets certainly in the game against Zimbabwe.
Does The Australian Team Not Consider T20 World Cups Seriously?
Ponting was also asked whether the Australian team doesn't consider the T20 World Cup a major event. He said that for every player, winning ICC trophies has to be the pinnacle of sporting excellence.
"I'm not sure that that's true. I think it's probably hard for a lot of the players to get up immediately after an Ashes series. And let's not forget, our guys just went through five really long Test matches, and it's physically and mentally draining for a couple of months. Some of the boys went back and played some BBL. The other guys decided to try and rest, freshen up, and be ready for a World Cup," he said.
"But trust me, any Australian team that I've been in or been around, yes, the (home) international series is important, Border-Gavaskar (Trophy) is important, but the reason you play is to win World Cups and win titles. The fact that we had as many players out as we did, and some of our best players just not stepping up, is the reason that you don't win.
"The teams that are left now, the teams that need to have their best players playing well at the back end of this tournament if they're indeed going to go on and win this tournament as well."
Australia Cricket Team