Ricky Ponting, the former Australia skipper, has been appointed as the team’s assistant coach for World Cup 2019.

Ponting, who has won the World Cup thrice – twice as captain – is expected to focus on ODI performance, especially the batting, while Graeme Hick, the regular batting coach, concentrates on the Ashes in England scheduled after the 50-over event.

Ponting, 44, one of the country’s most successful captains, has worked with the national team previously in the limited-overs format. His appointment comes a day after David Saker stepped down from his post as bowling coach as Justin Langer revamps his support staff.

“I’m really excited to be joining the coaching group for this year’s World Cup,” he said on Friday, February 8. “I’ve enjoyed my previous short-term roles with the ODI and T20 teams but World Cups take on a whole different meaning for me.

“I have enormous confidence in the players available to the selectors and know we will be as tough to beat as any team in this year’s World Cup.”

Langer was pleased with the appointment and believes his former team-mate will be a “valuable mentor” who has an “impressive understanding of the game”.

“Ricky knows what’s required to win World Cups,” Langer pointed out of the player who has featured in five editions so far. “I know he will be a valuable mentor to not just the batting group, but the broader squad as we focus our attention on defending our World Cup title.

“Ricky and I have worked together with the Australian Men’s team in the past, he is an extremely driven coach who is fully invested in the players’ development and improving Australian cricket. He has an impressive understanding of the game, he knows what’s required to prepare and perform at the elite level, and we can’t wait for him to get started working with the squad.”

Ponting will join the squad after their limited overs series against India and Pakistan.