AUSvsSL T20I: Ricky Ponting appointed as assistant coach

Melbourne: Former Australian Cricket captain Ricky Ponting on Sunday was appointed the assistant-coach for the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series between Australia and Sri Lanka, said Cricket Australia.

Justin Langer has been named the head coach while Jason Gillespie will be the bowling coach for the series.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to visit Australia for the T20I series starting from February 17 and will conclude on February 22. But Australia is also scheduled to visit India for a four-Test series beginning from February 23.

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This is why they have to name two different squads as well as coaching teams to be present at both places.

Darren Lehmann and David Saker, who are currently the head coach and assistant coach, respectively, will be with the Test team in India.

"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," said Ponting after his appointment.

"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," he added.

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Ricky Ponting has ample amount of experience as a coach in T20 format as he is the current head coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians (MI).

Meanwhile, the Test series between India and Australia is scheduled to begin on February 23 at Pune.