Ricky Ponting appointed as assistant coach of Australia T20 team

New Delhi: Ricky Ponting joins the illustrious group of coaching staff for the Australian T20 squad, as the former Australia captain has been appointed as an assistance coach for the series against Sri Lanka starting next month.    "I always said when I retired that I wanted to get back involved and what better way to do it than alongside a couple of my best mates in cricket, Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie," Ponting said. "We have some incredible Twenty20 talent in this country and I can't wait to work with JL, Dizzy and those selected to have a real crack at doing special for Australia's Twenty20 international ambitions." The decision came days after former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie was appointed as the bowling coach of the Australia T20 team. Ponting and Gillespie will work in tandem with head coach Justin Langer for the Sri Lanka series which starts from February 17. Sri Lanka will play three T20 internationals at Melbourne (February 17), Geelong (February 20) and Adelaide (February 22). Notably, Ponting has also been appointed as the head coach of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians. For the record, Ponting captained Australia in their first ever T20 match against New Zealand and also led them in the inaugural World T20 in 2007.