WTC Final 2023: Ricky Ponting unveils Test Mace in Delhi, gives ‘slight’ edge to Australia
Ricky Ponting posed with the Test Mace and was also seen giving some batting tips to the young cricketers present at the event.
New Delhi: Australia’s veteran batter Ricky Ponting unveiled the Test Mace, which is the trophy for the upcoming World Test Championship Final to be played between India and Australia. Ponting, who is the head coach of Delhi Capitals, unveiled the trophy in Delhi in the presence of local academy kids as the Mace travelled to India before the finals at The Oval, London.
Ricky Ponting posed with the Test Mace and was also seen giving some batting tips to the young cricketers present at the event. The most successful captain for the Australian men’s team also opened up about his views on the contest between India and Australia, and the playing conditions at The Oval.
Ponting said that Australia will have a ‘slight advantage’ due to the conditions. He said that the game will be a competition between India’s top order versus Australia’s pace attack. Talking about the Indian team, he said that the country has produced quality pacers which have brought change as compared to the late 90s and early 2000s era. He added that India will miss Jasprit Bumrah but have Mohammed Shami to compensate.
The former Australian skipper had a chat with Virat Kohli and revealed that Kohli told him that he believes to be at the top of his game. Ponting added that Kohli has had a good IPL season and everyone saw a glimpse of his great form when he scored a ton against SRH.
On the conditions, he said that The Oval has a good batting wicket to start and gives some assistance to spinners as the game progresses. He also said that a team can win the game irrespective of the result of the toss.
The final match will begin on June 7 and Ricky Ponting will be commentating on the game.
India has had a few setbacks in terms of injuries as their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant were ruled out. Recently, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were also ruled out as they are set to go for surgeries. This has paved the way for Ajinkya Rahane to make a comeback into the squad and Ishan Kishan came in a backup wicketkeeper.