Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has delivered a blunt assessment of Australia’s “extremely poor” World Cup campaign, saying the team’s early struggles ended their chances of reaching the Super Eight stage.
Speaking in Sydney, Ponting noted that Australia managed to win only one of their first three matches, which put the team under immediate pressure in the tournament.
According to reports, the former skipper blamed injuries to key players and inconsistent early performances as major reasons behind the disappointing run.
He pointed to the unexpected defeat against Zimbabwe and a dramatic collapse against Sri Lanka — where Australia lost six wickets in the final overs — as turning points that hurt the team’s momentum.
Ponting also highlighted what he described as a lack of “attitude and experience” compared to successful Australian sides of the past.
He added that winning ICC trophies should be the ultimate goal for any Australian cricketer. Ponting stressed that the current team must confront its mistakes honestly to pave the way for future success.
Looking ahead, he said some current players — including Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Josh Inglis — could remain part of the squad for the 2028 T20 World Cup. However, he suggested that the future of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis remains uncertain.