Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said the major difference between the two sides in the recently concluded World Test Championship Final was that the bigger-name players stepped up for Australia. The Baggy Greens beat India by 209 runs to win the 2023 WTC Final at the Kennington Oval in London.
Speaking to the ICC after the match, Ponting said the big difference between the two teams was the Australia’s big players stepped up. Steve Smith and Travis Head scored centuries in the first innings to become the only two batters to hit hundreds in WTC Finals.
“I think the difference in the two teams for this final is that Australia’s bigger name players really stood up in that Smith led the way. David Warner I thought on Day 1 probably went a little bit unheralded for his 40 odd in very trying circumstances on Day 1 and Smith, Head and the bowling brigade who’ve done such a great job over a long period of time were outstanding again,” said Ponting.
He went on to say that there could be more special things for this team around the corner, adding that there’s no reason why this set of players won’t be around for long. Australia became the first team in cricket to win every trophy available in the game.
“A lot of positives for the Australians and we talked about this team having been together for a long time, there is no reason why it won’t be together for lot longer. Warner’s talked about going till the Australian summer. Khawaja has been in seriously good form for the last 18 months as well so there could be some more special things for this group just around the corner,” Ponting added.
The former skipper said the games between India and Australia have been played in great spirit over the last 5-6 years. India is the number one ranked Test side despite losing the WTC Final, while Australia occupies the second spot.
